Immigration Reform

The enforcement of immigration laws is a complex and hotly-debated topic. Learn more about the costs of immigration enforcement and the ways in which the U.S. can enforce our immigration laws humanely and in a manner that ensures due process.

Recent Features

  • Fact Sheet

The Cost of Immigration Enforcement and Border Security

Since the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, the federal government has spent an estimated $324 billion on the agencies that carry out immigration enforcement. 

  • Special Report

Back to the Future: The Impact of Legalization Then and Now

While there are many facets to an intelligent immigration reform package, one thing is clear: legalization for undocumented immigrants helps all of us. 

All Immigration Reform Content

  • Blog

Setting the Record Straight on the Leaked Government Memo on Work Authorization

November 5, 2015

Recently, a leaked memo related to the Department of Homeland Security’s ongoing deliberations about reforming the employment-based immigrant visa system was published online. An “investigative...

  • Blog

Congress Passes a Budget, But a Government Shutdown is Still Possible

November 3, 2015

Last week Congress passed and on Monday the President signed a two year bipartisan budget agreement that also raised the debt ceiling through March 2017. The two year budget sets federal spending...

  • Blog

DHS Secretary Johnson Discusses Border Security, Executive Action, Refugees and PEP

October 30, 2015

On Thursday, Secretary Jeh Johnson of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed the 12th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference, covering a wide-range of topics, from border...

  • Blog

Why Congress Should Eliminate the Term “Alien” from Federal Law

October 27, 2015

Last week, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced legislation to remove derogatory language describing noncitizens as “aliens” from federal law. The bill, known as the Correcting Hurtful...

  • Blog

Complexity of Central American Migration Explored at Senate Hearing

October 22, 2015

This week, the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held yet another hearing to examine the causes and implications of the high rate of migration from Central America,...

  • Blog

Senate to Vote on “Sanctuary Cities” Legislation

October 19, 2015

The Senate will vote Tuesday on whether to begin debate on Senator David Vitter’s (R-LA) “Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act” (S. 2146). The bill is an enforcement-only approach to...

  • Blog

Four Immigration Issues Covered at the First Democratic Primary Debate

October 14, 2015

The first Democratic debate of the 2016 presidential campaign was held Tuesday in Nevada, which is home to 529,164 immigrants and the highest percentage of undocumented immigrants of any state....

  • Blog

Will the Guidance on Extreme Hardship Waivers Allow More Individuals to Become Permanent Residents?

October 8, 2015

This week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued draft guidance on what constitutes “extreme hardship” for purposes of an immigration waiver. The much anticipated guidance is a...

  • Blog

Fifty Years Later, the Immigration Act That Transformed America

October 5, 2015

Fifty years ago this past Saturday, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) into law. This Act is best known for having dismantled an earlier immigrant...

  • Blog

Congress Narrowly Avoids Shutdown, Reauthorizes Key Immigration Programs

October 1, 2015

Just hours before the federal government was set to shut down on Wednesday, Congress passed a continuing resolution, a stop-gap measure which continues funding the government at current levels and...

  • Press Release

When is Enough, Enough?

May 25, 2016

Washington, D.C. - Following a meeting to discuss comprehensive immigration reform with Senate Republicans, President Obama announced that he would send 1,200 Nati

  • Blog

Judge Hanen’s Recent Unwarranted Order in United States v. Texas

May 24, 2016

Last week, District Court Judge Andrew Hanen issued a highly extraordinary order telling the Department of Justice (DOJ) to turn over personal information of about 108,000 or so individuals who...

  • Press Release

Creating a Workable Future Flow Program in Senate Immigration Bill

May 13, 2016

Washington D.C. - Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee continues “mark-up” of S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act.

  • Blog

How Some States Are Leading the Way on Immigrant Integration

May 5, 2016

Several notable developments took place in states across the U.S. over the past several months in 2016. In California, several recently passed immigration-related laws–collectively known as the “...

  • Blog

What Are the Next Steps at the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Texas?

April 21, 2016

The oral arguments in U.S. v. Texas are now complete and dozens of news articles and analyses have attempted to predict what the Court will decide. However, all that truly matters is the final...

  • Blog

Understanding Justice Kennedy’s “Upside Down” Argument in U.S. v. Texas

April 20, 2016

By Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, faculty scholar and law professor at Penn State Law-University Park. On April 18, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas, a case...

  • Blog

Digesting the Argument in U.S. v. Texas: What Is Lawful Presence and Why Does It Not Mean What It Sounds Like?

April 19, 2016

The oral argument in United States v. Texas shined a light on the confusion between the term “lawful presence” and what it means to have a legal immigration status in the United States. Early in...

  • Blog

Supreme Court Considers President’s Executive Actions on Immigration While Thousands Rally Outside

April 18, 2016

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas. While lawyers presented their arguments before the eight Justices inside, on the outside families, advocates, immigrants, faith...

  • Press Release

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in U.S. v. Texas

April 18, 2016

Washington D.C. - Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas.

  • Press Release

The American Immigration Council Welcomes Bi-Partisan Senate Immigration Bill

April 17, 2016

Washington D.C. – The American Immigration Council applauds the “Gang of Eight” Senators who have introduced the "

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