Targeted Enforcement: Projecting the Effects of Executive Action on Deportations

In November 2014, President Obama announced a series of executive actions on immigration policy. While much of the immediate attention focused on the expansion of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative and creation of a new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, the announcement also included major changes to federal immigration enforcement practices. Two of these changes relate to revisions to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement priorities, and the termination of the Secure Communities program, to be replaced by the Priority Enforcement Program (PEP). What will be the impact of these new policies on the unauthorized population? How will PEP reshape the relationship between DHS and local law enforcement agencies?

The MPI report, discussed at this event, provides answers to these key questions. The presentation of findings from the report, explores these new enforcement priorities and estimates the number of unauthorized immigrants now considered priorities—and nonpriorities—for enforcement. Current and former DHS officials also joined the discussion, commenting on the historical context for these enforcement actions and plans for implementation of these new policies.