Administration clarifies border and immigration enforcement policies

Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly today issued two memoranda regarding border security and immigration policy enforcement. The guidelines outlined in the memoranda largely impact DHS enforcement actions against undocumented immigrants already within the United States and focus on actions such as hiring additional enforcement agents, speeding up deportation hearings and enlisting local law enforcement in immigration actions. The guidelines do not pertain to the Jan. 27 executive order pausing travel from seven nations. That order is on hold under a temporary restraining order after the states of Washington and Minnesota successfully sued to block implementation. President Trump has said he will issue a revised order soon.