For many people in the community, the issue of immigration enforcement is really all about the borders, particularly the southern border with Mexico. Phrases like “open border policy” or “seal the border” seem to frame the entire immigration discussion around it.
But beyond the border, there are many other factors to consider. There are already 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., and many live in “mixed status” homes with other members who are U.S. citizens. Should families be split up in these cases? Should schools and hospitals be checking the legal status of the people they serve?
Some states, like Arizona and Alabama, are now crafting their own immigration legislation because a growing number of lawmakers feel the federal government has failed in its responsibility to enforce immigration laws. This has led to much debate over the unintended consequences of such laws and whether these new enforcement measures are even constitutional.
Many questions remain regarding immigration enforcement, both at the border and across the entire United States.
Recent Enforcement Headlines:
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The Nation’s Cruelest Immigration Law
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Administration Says It Will Conduct Case-By-Case Review On Deportation
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Report: 40 U.S. States Passed Immigration Laws In 2011
Category: Enforcement
Smaller Town, Similar Stories
The story of immigration isn’t just about big cities. Officer Alvin Zabala talks about policing the city of Monett, a small town in rural Missouri with a growing Hispanic population.
“The Law Protects Everybody”
The fear of deportation often looms over undocumented immigrants and compels many to not report crimes when they are victimized. By helping the Westside CAN Center, KCPD Officer Chato Villalobos hopes to provide a safe place for migrant workers and send the message that the law protects everybody.
The Long Arm of the Law: Reaching Out to Immigrants
When thinking about how immigrants interact with local law enforcement, making sure immigrants understand local police customs in only part of the process. Police working in areas with a large immigrant population must also understand the community that they serve in order to be more effective at their job.
In Case of Emergency, Please Dial…
The Metropolitan Police Department of the City of St. Louis conducts safety meetings at the International Institute of St. Louis to help bring immigrants up to speed on local procedures, including when to dial 911. In today’s Homeland Vignette clip, the documentary team brings us footage from one of these meetings and shows us how local law enforcement is attempting to engage with the immigrant community to make things safer for everyone in St. Louis.
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