New Department of Homeland Security Policies: Enforcement of the Immigration Laws to Serve the National Interest

DHS Secretary John F. Kelly issued a new policy memo that offered more detail on plans for the agency to hire thousands of additional enforcement agents, expand the pool of immigrants who are prioritized for removal, speed up deportation hearings and enlist local law enforcement to help make arrests.

This memorandum implements 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.

[Read the memo signed by DHS Secretary Kelly on new policies for Department of Homeland Security]