In a controversial move, the Biden administration has relaxed immigration policies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's forthcoming term.

The Biden White House, facing the imminent presidency of Trump, has initiated a series of immigration policy adjustments, and among these controversial changes, the Department of Homeland Security is launching an ICE Portal app in December, aimed at allowing migrants to manage their check-ins remotely, as Fox News reports.

This new approach permits migrants to use smartphones or computers to check in with immigration authorities, a shift from traditional in-person requirements.

The ICE Portal app, however, has encountered significant technical difficulties, particularly with glitching issues and the inability to track locations on Android devices.

Implementation Challenges Amid Political Change

The ICE Portal app's launch comes amid widespread criticism due to its functionality issues. Additionally, the app lacks critical security measures; it does not verify if migrants have past arrests or outstanding warrants and allows them the option to opt-out of or contest electronic tracking orders.

According to the New York Post, approximately 100,000 migrants are expected to be enrolled in the first wave using the app.

This rollout is part of a broader initiative to streamline immigration processes but has raised security and operational concerns.

During 2023, illegal migration to the U.S. reached an all-time high of 3.2 million people under the Biden administration. This figure has surpassed the previous record, highlighting the escalating challenges at the border.

New York City Faces Increased Strain

New York City, known as a sanctuary city, has been particularly impacted by the influx of migrants. Since spring 2022, the city has received over 223,000 migrants, significantly straining local resources.

The fiscal expenditures associated with these increases have been substantial, with New York City spending approximately $3.7 billion on migrant-related costs in fiscal year 2024 alone.

These financial burdens have sparked debates on federal support and the management of sanctuary city policies under shifting federal directives.

Critics, such as Joe Borelli, a Republican council member in the Big Apple, have voiced strong opposition to these changes.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Borelli described the policy shifts as "disheartening" and counter to the spirit of a peaceful transition of power, labeling them a "last-ditch effort to usurp the will of the people."

Controversial Timing of Policy Changes

These policy adjustments have also been timed controversially, following closely on the heels of a high-profile legal case.

Congressman Mike Lawler pointed out to Fox News Digital the unsettling timing of loosening immigration restrictions right after the sentencing of nursing student Laken Riley's killer, who benefited from similar lax policies.

Jose Ibarra, the accused, had resided in a taxpayer-funded hotel in Queens before committing the murder in Athens, Georgia.

Lawler expressed astonishment and concern over these decisions, particularly criticizing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for pushing these changes during the administration's final days.

"It is appalling that in the waning days of the Biden administration, [Mayorkas] is seeking to loosen restrictions on those who crossed the border illegally in the biggest sanctuary city in the country," Lawler added, highlighting the tension between local burdens and federal policymaking.