The Biden administration announced on Tuesday two new initiatives through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): limiting migrant arrests in courthouses and launching "Operation Sentinel." Both movements by the administration are geared towards the safety and rights of migrants in the United States.

The first initiative will involve the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as they are no longer authorized to arrest migrants in courthouses, Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, the second directive called Operation Sentinel is geared to curb the illegal entries of migrants with smugglers backing them.

Biden Directs Limiting Migrant Arrests in Courthouses

Biden administration's announcement of limiting the migrant arrest was carried out by ICE's Acting Director Tae Johnson and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller, Mail Online reported.

ICE and CBP will not be allowed to function near the courthouses so that migrants may testify in cases without the fear of being arrested due to their immigration status. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas noted that this initiative will establish and balance the "fair administration of justice."

"The expansion of civil immigration arrests at courthouses during the prior administration had a chilling effect on individuals' willingness to come to court," said Mayorkas. He added that the migrants' fear of being arrested while testifying inhibits them from working "cooperatively" with the authorities.

Despite being banned in courthouses, ICE and CBP agents may still carry out their jobs in courthouses in case a migrant is involved in matters that will threaten the national security or the safety of the public. Moreover, they can also apprehend migrants who authorities suspect may have destroyed evidence in a criminal case.

Operation Sentinel

The second initiative is Operation Sentinel, a multi-agency effort in collaboration with Central America and Mexico, NBC Montana reported. The said operation will rattle the "financial and logistical networks of smugglers" utilized in endangering the lives of migrants.

The movement of the Biden administration comes as incidents of smuggler-backed migrants trying to cross the U.S. illegally were reported. Smugglers were said to bring undocumented migrants by using dangerous and life-threatening methods.

Meanwhile, Mail Online noted that March records the highest number of illegal crossers with more than 22,000 unaccompanied migrant children under federal custody.

"We know all too well that these [smugglers] organizations put profit over human life with devastating consequences," said Secretary Mayorkas. The DHS secretary also noted that they are aiming to cut off the access of smugglers to profit by denying these criminal organizations the "ability to engage in travel, trade, and finance in the United States.

Other U.S. agencies that will work together in Operation Sentinel are DHS through the State Department, FBI, Justice Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. Meanwhile, Mayorkas also emphasized that the new directive about the migrant arrests will grant immigrants equal protection under the law and promote safety for crime victims.

WATCH: Biden administration reportedly preparing new rules limiting ICE arrests and deportations - from CBS News