State and Local
Florida’s Anti-Immigrant Bills Follow a Decade-Long Trend
The path toward commonsense federal immigration solutions seems to be continuing the cyclical and frustrating pattern of two steps forward, one step back. As soon as a measure is introduced—be it visa recapture, reducing the H-1B backlog, or a long overdue solution for Dreamers and TPS holders—it gets clawed back. Read More
Power of the Purse: Contributions of Hispanic Americans in Texas
New research from American Immigration Council underscores the crucial role the Hispanic population plays in Texas’ labor force, population growth, and economy. The new series of factsheets, Power of the Purse: Contributions of Hispanic Americans in Texas, were prepared in partnership with the Texas Association of… Read More
DHS Infringed on First Amendment Rights by Collecting Intel on Portland Protestors
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials improperly developed intelligence reports nicknamed “baseball cards” about individuals arrested in Portland, Oregon during the civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder, a DHS internal review found. The internal report found that the Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) branch of DHS directed federal agents… Read More
With New Florida Lawsuit, States’ Efforts to Dictate Federal Immigration Policy Continue
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a new lawsuit on Tuesday seeking an order requiring the Biden administration to detain almost all people arriving at the Southwest border. It is the latest in a string of lawsuits brought by states with Republican governors seeking to shape federal immigration policy. In its… Read More
California Law Would Prevent Transfers From Local Law Enforcement to ICE Custody
Proposed legislation in California that would further limit the state’s involvement in immigration detention has made progress toward becoming law. The VISION Act would prevent transfers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody of people who are released from state or local custody. The bill passed the state assembly… Read More
TX Court Issues Stunning Order: US Government Can’t Set Priorities for Immigration Enforcement
Judge Drew Tipton of the Southern District of Texas on August 19 blocked a set of enforcement priorities the Biden administration had issued in January and February 2021 in an attempt to focus limited enforcement resources. This preliminary injunction will be in effect beginning September 3 unless it is overturned. Read More
New Illinois Law Expected to Go Furthest Toward Ending Immigration Detention in the US
A new Illinois law limiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention is expected to effectively end detention in the state by next year. The law goes further than those that have limited detention in other states. On August 2, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 667, known as… Read More
Texas’ Order to Pull Over Vehicles Carrying Migrants Likely Violates the Constitution, Judge Rules
A federal judge on Tuesday dealt an important blow to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s flawed plan to stop migrants from entering and traveling through Texas. Governor Abbott issued an executive order on July 28 that prohibited anyone other than law enforcement officials from transporting people who had been detained… Read More
Biden’s Unfulfilled Promise to End 287(g) Agreements with Local Law Enforcement
During the 2020 campaign, President Biden pledged to end all 287(g) agreements made by the Trump administration. More than 150 days into his presidency, the promise remains unfulfilled. The 287(g) program allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and state or local law enforcement agencies to enter into formal… Read More
New Report Examines Biden’s Approach to Immigration Enforcement
A new American Immigration Council report examines the Biden administration’s approach to the U.S. system of immigration enforcement during its first 100 days in office. Read More
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