U.S. Immigration Policy & President Trump Part 2: Enhanced Immigration Enforcement
Since 2017, the Trump administration has taken steps to bolster immigration enforcement throughout the United States. In the first fiscal year of Trump’s term in office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USCIS) deported 61,094 immigrants from the U.S. This was a 37% increase from 2016. During this same period of time, ICE arrested 110,568 people, a 42% increase from 2016. Of these arrests, more than 31,888 didn’t have any type of criminal conviction. However, under Trump’s expanded removal priorities, immigrants who don’t have criminal records and pose no danger to society can still be targeted for deportation by ICE.
287(g) Programs
Under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the federal government can create agreements with state and local law enforcement agencies to participate and help with investigation, apprehension, and detention of removable immigrants. At the end of 2017, there were 29 new 287(g) agreements between the federal government and other law enforcement agencies.
Decreasing Deferral of Removals
Under previous administrations, certain immigrants with deportation orders were allowed to remain in the country as long as they check-in with ICE every six months. Under the Trump administration, these individuals are now eligible for immediate deportation if they are detained by ICE.
“Zero-Tolerance” Policy
In an attempt to deter illegal border crossings, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a “zero-tolerance” policy that allowed officers to criminally prosecute those who cross the border without authorization. The policy resulted in mass-separations between family members detained at the border. While the parents who illegally crossed are taken into criminal custody, the children are sent to government shelters that have been criticized for their squalid conditions.
Texas Immigration Lawyers
At Davis & Associates, we are committed to helping immigrants throughout Texas resolve their legal matters and obtain their American Dream. We know how difficult it can be to navigate the U.S. immigration system, which is why we are here to help you defend your rights. To learn more about immigration policy under the Trump administration, come back again on September 23rd to read the next blog in our series. To read last week’s blog on major immigration changes, click here.
Do you want to speak with an experienced lawyer about your immigration case? Then give us a call today at (214) 999-1942 to request your free consultation.