The Trump administration officially released two DHS memos detailing new immigration enforcement rules, repealing previous guidance granted under the Obama administration, and widely expanding the scope of immigrants eligible for deportation. Below are key changes. We will post responses from immigration rights’ groups as they become available.
KEY CHANGES
• “hiring 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents, as well as 500 Air & Marine Agents/Officers”
• “authorizing qualified officers or employees of the state or subdivision to perform the functions of an immigration officer in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States”
• “Empowering state and local law enforcement agencies to assist in the enforcement of federal immigration law is critical to an effective enforcement strategy.”
• “shall immediately begin planning, design, construction and maintenance of a wall, including the attendant lighting, technology (including sensors), as well as patrol and access roads, along the land border with Mexico in accordance with existing Jaw, in the most appropriate locations and utilizing appropriate materials and technology to most effectively achieve operational control of the border”
• “order the alien removed from the United States without further hearing or review”
• “apply, by designation in my sole and unreviewable discretion, the expedited removal provisions”
• “return aliens arriving on land from a foreign territory contiguous to the United States, to the territory from which they arrived [includes children]”
FROM DHS.GOV:
Implementing the President’s Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvement Policies
February 20, 2017 memorandum implementing the Executive Order entitled “Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements,” issued by the President on January 25, 2017, which establishes the President’s policy regarding effective border security and immigration enforcement through faithful execution of the laws of the United States.
Enforcement of the Immigration Laws to Serve the National Interest
February 20, 2017 memorandum implementing the Executive Order entitled “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States,” issued by the President on January 25, 2017. It constitutes guidance for all Department personnel regarding the enforcement of the immigration laws of the United States, and is applicable to the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As such, it should inform enforcement and removal activities, detention decisions, administrative litigation, budget requests and execution, and strategic planning.