Forum Publications
FY 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations
January 25, 2012
A brief summary of the immigration-related components of the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for the Department of Homeland Security, including appropriations allocated for Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
2011 National Guard Deployments to the Southwest Border
December 06, 2011
This fact sheet contains basic information on the deployment of the National Guard on the southwest border, including number, location, cost and the role the Guard is playing.
Immigration Enforcement Today Measured Against Benchmarks Set in 2007
December 02, 2011
This paper examines border security and immigration enforcement benchmarks set in 2007 immigration reform legislation that ultimately failed to pass. The benchmarks were included in the legislation at the instance of members of Congress who insisted that the border be “secured” first, before considering practical solutions to the problem of what to do with undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S. As this paper explains, the benchmarks set in that legislation have largely been met, yet...
Cut Here: Reducing Wasteful Spending on Immigration Enforcement
November 15, 2011
This paper puts a spotlight on the amount of money our government currently spends on enforcing our broken immigration laws, and how much that spending has increased in recent years. Much of the spending is for programs that are not cost effective, and the government could save hundreds of millions of dollars if spending on these programs was reduced or eliminated. Billions more could be saved by reforming our immigration laws in a comprehensive, allowing enforcement resources to be focused on...
America’s Immigration System Wastes Tax Dollars
September 22, 2011
This fact sheet highlights a few ways in which taxpayer dollars are wasted enforcing broken immigration laws that cannot realistically be effectively enforced until Congress passes broad immigration reforms.
Safe Borders, Sane Policies
September 22, 2011
This brief paper explains some facts about enforcement resources on the border and how those resources have been increased in recent years. It suggests that by continuing to pour money in to border enforcement, the government is wasting money, and it lists ideas for cutting down on wasteful spending on border enforcement.
Summaries of Recent Immigration Enforcement Reports
August 30, 2011
This document summarizes a number of reports that have been issued 2008 - 2011 by non-profit and governmental watchdog organizations documenting problems with various immigration enforcement programs.
Department of Homeland Security: Complaint Process
July 05, 2011
This paper and accompanying chart explains how to file a complaint regarding violations of civil rights or civil liberties, or for misconduct by an agent of the Department of Homeland Security. Links are provided to the various entities within DHS or the Department of Justice that take and investigate complaints.
The ABC’s of Federal Agents on the Border
May 25, 2011
Few Americans appreciate the scope of border operations that are now in place. Border enforcement efforts span five Departments using at least a dozen federal agencies, involve tens of thousands of federal law enforcement agents, and range across programs to counter smuggling, organized crime, trafficking, gun running, illegal immigration, narcotics trade, gang activity, and illicit financial dealing. This paper provides an explanation of current federal border enforcement manpower across the...
“Operational Control” at the Border: More than Words
April 06, 2011
This document looks at the term “operational control” in the context of border enforcement, and discusses the different definitions used by politicians and administrators. A definition included in the Secure Fence Act of 2006 is unrealistic, as it would require completely sealing the border. The Border Patrol sees operational control in terms of resource deployment based on risk assessment.
