In immigration law, what does "administrative arrest" refer to?

The term "administrative arrest" in immigration law refers specifically to the capture of an individual by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without the need for a criminal warrant. This type of arrest allows ICE agents to detain individuals based on their immigration status or potential violations of immigration laws rather than for criminal offenses. Administrative arrests typically occur in situations where individuals are suspected of being in the United States illegally or having committed immigration violations.

This definition aligns with the activities of ICE, which can detain people during operations aimed at enforcing immigration laws, often in areas such as workplaces, homes, or even public places. Understanding administrative arrest is crucial for grasping how immigration enforcement operates outside the realm of criminal justice, focusing instead on compliance with immigration statutes.

Other options provided do not accurately define "administrative arrest." For example, the issuance of a warrant for an individual's arrest pertains to criminal law procedures and does not reflect the essence of how administrative arrests are executed in the context of immigration enforcement. Similarly, while detaining individuals seeking asylum and conducting interviews with undocumented immigrants may be related to immigration processes, they do not represent the concept of an administrative arrest as measured by ICE's operational protocols.