Featured Issue: Immigration Enforcement Under Trump 2.0
In his bid for a second presidential term, President Trump pledged to conduct mass deportations, characterizing his targets as dangerous criminals. Since taking office, the Administration has ramped up immigration enforcement efforts, with a reported goal of arresting 3,000 people every day. Contrary to the Administration’s characterization of those arrested as “the worst of the worst criminals,” only 7% of people caught up in this indiscriminate enforcement have been convicted of a violent crime, and 65% have never been convicted of any crime. These practices do not improve safety, and in fact undermine it by directing law enforcement efforts away from dangerous, violent crimes. In some cases, ICE has arrested U.S. citizens during worksite enforcements and other mass arrests. Additionally, the Administration is intentionally and prematurely terminating statutorily authorized legal pathways, such as humanitarian parole and temporary protected status, creating a larger undocumented population and targets for its deportation machine.
The Administration’s enforcement goals now have outsized influence over USCIS and EOIR, two agencies with missions to promote fairness and integrity in immigration proceedings. ICE targets people who are following the legal process and may be eligible for immigration benefits, including those who show up for hearings and appointments at immigration courts, USCIS offices and support centers, and ICE check-ins. To facilitate these arrests, the Administration is ordering judges and immigration officers to dismiss cases so that ICE agents can immediately place individuals in expedited removal proceedings, bypassing due process protections and violating federal law. Rather than encouraging individuals to seek lawful immigration status, the Administration’s overzealous enforcement efforts are instilling fear in those seeking to follow our laws to regularize their status.
The impact of the sweeping deportations reaches far beyond the individuals who are arrested. Deporting long-time residents and workers separates families who have deep community roots and disrupts both local and national economies. Mass deportation hurts our communities and our country as a whole.
Key Resources
Browse the Featured Issue: Immigration Enforcement Under Trump 2.0 collection
AG Order on Federal Control of Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
AG Bondi issued an order (6370-2025) regarding federal control of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The order directs the DEA Administrator to serve as emergency police commissioner and suspends MPD policies regarding information sharing and arrests for immigration violations.
Policy Brief: ICE Arrests at USCIS Field Offices Undermine U.S. Immigration Processes
AILA members reported instances of ICE arrests of individuals attending immigration interviews at USCIS field offices. This brief summarizes the key takeaways from the reports and policy implications.
DHS and Indiana Announce Partnership to Expand Detention Space
DHS announced a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand ICE detention space by 1,000 beds. ICE is partnering with the Indiana Department of Corrections. The expansion will be at the Miami Correctional Center, a state prison in Bunker Hill, Indiana.
Policy Brief: ICE Arrests at Immigration Courts
AILA members reported widespread instances of ICE Enforcement and ERO agents appearing at immigration courts to detain individuals following the dismissal of their case. This brief summarizes the key takeaways from the reports of AILA members and the broader policy implications.
Take Action: Congress Must Hold the Executive Branch Accountable for Systemic Attack on Immigration Courts
The Department of Justice is undermining the integrity of the U.S. immigration courts. Take Action by demanding Congressional oversight and holding the Executive Branch accountable for its systemic attacks on the immigration courts.
Policy Brief: ICE Plan to Detain Most Undocumented Noncitizens Would Deprive Millions of Liberty and Undermine Immigration Courts’ Authority
On July 8, ICE issued an internal memo updating its legal position on bond jurisdiction for individuals who entered the United States without inspection. This policy brief reviews the updates and impacts of that change.
Practice Alert: EOIR Guidance to Immigration Judges on Dismissals and Other Adjudications
On May 30th, 2025, immigration judges nationwide received instructions on how to adjudicate the recent wave of dismissal requests from ICE OPLA. Read this practice alert for the text of the email and accompanying guidance.
Think Immigration: Eroding Trust: USCIS and EOIR’s Role in Trump-Era Immigration Enforcement
AILA staff members Heather Hogan, Cristina Rodriguez and Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres describe the impact of ICE arrests at immigration courts and USCIS interviews, and how those arrests are robbing individuals of “due process, something that has stood as a bedrock of U.S. jurisprudence and principles.”
Presidential Memo on DOD Security for the Protection of DHS Functions
President Trump released a memo on 6/7/25 calling on the National Guard and other Federal service members to protect ICE personnel during immigration enforcement actions. The memo calls for at least 2,000 National Guard personnel to serve for 60 days or at the DOD Secretary’s discretion.
86 Representatives Urge DHS to End Arrests at Immigration Courts
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) led 86 House members in a letter to DHS Secretary and ICE Acting Director expressing concern over ICE enforcement operations at immigration courts and noting that many of those arrested do not have a criminal record.
Practice Alert: Members reporting increased ICE arrests for people on ATD monitoring
Reports show ICE is arresting ATD individuals at ISAP/ICE check-ins nationwide.
CBP, ICE, and USCIS to Ramp Up Enforcement Actions on Visa Overstays
USCIS announced that at the direction of DHS Secretary, CBP, ICE, and USCIS are ramping up review of immigration records and will take immediate action to enforce visa overstays.
Call for Examples: ICE Arrests at Immigration Courts
AILA members recently reported widespread instances of ICE Enforcement and ERO agents appearing at immigration courts to detain individuals. AILA released a policy brief summarizing the reports. To better understand the details, please complete this survey if your client was arrested at EOIR.
Know Before You Go: Immigration Court Hearings and ICE Arrests
AILA provides a flyer to alert your clients of ICE arrests outside of immigration courthouses with information they should know before going to immigration court. The flyer is available as a generic PDF version as well as a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
DHS Announces Revamping of ICE Tip Line
DHS announced that DHS Secretary Noem will provide more resources and personnel to the ICE tip line used to report “suspicious criminal activity” by undocumented people.
ICE Directive: 11072.4 Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions In or Near Courthouses
ICE memo regarding ICE civil immigration enforcement actions in or near courthouses. It outlines which noncitizens are generally subject to such actions, procedures, and responsibilities. It also notes that ICE officers should generally avoid enforcement near non-criminal or specialized courts.
Practice Alert: ICE Arrests at USCIS Interviews
AILA reports a rise in ICE arrests at USCIS interviews and check-ins nationwide, targeting individuals with prior removal orders, criminal history, or suspected fraud. Members are urged to prepare clients and report incidents to AILA’s liaison committee.
DHS Issues Reminder of Guidelines for ICE Facility Visits for Members of Congress
DHS issued a press release reiterating ICE’s facility visitation guidelines for members of Congress and their staff.
Practice Alert: OPLA to Begin Filing Motions to Reopen Administratively Closed Cases
AILA received reports that ICE OPLA will begin filing motions to recalendar in all cases that were previously administratively closed.
DHS Announces Travel Assistance and Stipend for Voluntary Self-Deportation
DHS announced that undocumented immigrants can receive financial and travel assistance to facilitate travel back to their home country through the CBP Home App, and can also receive a stipend of $1,000 dollars paid after their return to their home country has been confirmed through the app.
DHS Delegates Enforcement Authority to USCIS Director
DHS delegation of authority (DHS Delegation 15006) to the USCIS Director to order expedited removal, issue orders of arrest and removal, and detain noncitizens, superseding part of Delegation 0150.1, issued 6/5/03. Thank you to ASAP for sharing this memo after obtaining it via FOIA lawsuit.
Call for Examples: Enforcement Action and Interview Updates at USCIS Field Offices
AILA seeks examples of either changes to USCIS interview practices and/or enforcement actions taken at field offices. Examples must be received no later than 11:59pm on May 8, 2025.
Policy Brief: Immigration Enforcement Actions Against International Students
This policy brief explains how student visas differ from other nonimmigrant visa types, explores the legal pathways to revoking and terminating a student visa, and explains the due process protections that are available.
Help! ICE At My Office Asking About a Client
Have questions about what to do if ICE shows up at your office? This practice success tip explores how to respond.
Call for Examples: ICE/HSI Worksite Enforcement Encounters Tracker
AILA's Verification and Documentation Committee seeks to obtain a better understanding of ICE/HSI’s ongoing worksite enforcement activities in order to assists members better inform employer clients about such encounters.