Border Enforcement
Prosecuting People for Coming to the United States
Over the last two decades, the federal government increasingly has utilized the criminal courts to punish people for immigration violations. This overview provides basic information about entry-related offenses, including the significant costs incurred by the government conducting these prosecutions, the individuals who are subjected to them, and how the government’s rationale for carrying them out is not supported by the data. Read More
Immigration Detainers: An Overview
This fact sheet explains detainers, how they are used by federal and local enforcement, and the impact they have on immigrants. Read More
What’s in the 2025 Reconciliation Bill So Far?
Analysis of the immigration and border-related spending recommendations for reconciliation measures approved in the House Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Armed Services Committees in FY 2025. Read More
Sanctuary Policies: An Overview
Sanctuary policies do not conceal or shelter unauthorized immigrants from detection. Here's what you need to know about these policies. Read More
Expedited Removal Explainer
Expedited removal is a process by which low-level immigration officers can quickly deport certain noncitizens who are undocumented or have committed fraud or misrepresentation. Read More
The “Mass Influx” Declaration
In 1996, Congress passed a law giving the federal government the power to declare an emergency relating to a “mass influx” of migrants. When this emergency provision is enacted, the government can both disburse funding to states and localities dealing with the “influx” and delegate authority to local… Read More
Statement of the American Immigration Council Submitted to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing on Remain in Mexico
The American Immigration Council submitted a statement for the record for the January 16, 2025, hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on the Remain in Mexico program. Read More
Testifying on the Catastrophic Economic and Humane Costs of Mass Deportations
The American Immigration Council appeared before Congress to address the catastrophic economic and humane costs of mass deportations. Read More
Torrance County Detention Facility’s Troubling Role in Detaining Haitian Migrants During the 2021 Del Rio Incident
Table of Contents Background Methodology & Organization Analysis of Detained Individuals Race and Ethnicity Analysis Placements into Torrance in 2021 Haitians at Torrance Abuses Continue into 2022 Conclusion Executive Summary The Torrance County Detention Facility (Torrance) is one of approximately… Read More
Mass Deportation
The mass deportation of millions of undocumented individuals would be tremendously expensive and would have a catastrophic impact on our economy—one that would be expansive and impact every American. The American Immigration Council analyzes the fiscal costs and economic impacts of such a mass deportation operation. Read More
All gifts are matched dollar for dollar
No one should face the immigration system alone
