Department of Homeland Security Implementation Memo
Issued on February 20, 2017
Summary
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly issued two implementation memos to guide personnel on implementation of the executive orders from the Trump administration regarding public safety and immigration released in January. These memos radically alter the procedure of deportations undertaken by DHS, expanding the category of people considered ‘priority for removal’ from illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes to people in the country illegally who were convicted of any crime. The memos also include a directive to deport unaccompanied children and to deport or prosecute anyone who helped bring a child into the United States illegally (including parents and family members). LEARN MORE
Analysis
The change in deportation priorities made in these memos could render the category of ‘priority for removal’ meaningless, as immigrants can face charges just for entering the country illegally. Interpreted in this manner, this could make the deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants a priority. To accomplish this, the DHS would require more employees, and this memo includes an order to hire 15,000 in ICE and CBP combined – but a mass hire of this scale will likely lead to expedited training that could further expose the rampant corruption in these agencies. Even with these hires, DHS will lack the capacity to enforce these new guidelines systematically, introducing a new unpredictability to deportation proceedings that will likely sow even more fear in immigrant communities. These memos have also already caused international outcry because they could lead to deportees of any nationality to be deported to Mexico, which the Mexican government has stated they will dispute. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Local Options for Protecting Immigrants – This document hosted by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights notes what steps local governments can take to protect immigrants against federal government actions.
- Support a Local Solidarity Network in Your Area – Organizations are rapidly forming on a local level across the country to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants and to ensure that law enforcement agencies are acting legally and justly as they seek to enforce these new executive orders. Examples include the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and Mi Casa es Su Casa (San Diego).
- Resistance Manual – Crisis Resources – If you know someone who is facing immigration troubles, please share this compendium of legal resources and relevant nonprofit organizations with them.
This brief was compiled by Oliver Bjornsson. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact oliver@usresistnews.org.
