A Legal Analysis of ICE Interior Enforcement and Sanctuary Cities

The manner in which the immigration laws are enforced with the U.S. has become an issue dividing state and local governments from the federal government, as the Executive seeks to change the framework for enforcement that existed under the prior administration. Jurisdictions must decide to what extent they will aid the federal government in the detection and apprehension of noncitizen residents, and whether and how to resist such efforts. Is the federal government seeking cooperation with local governments, or to co-opt them? To what extent, if any, can the federal government punish local governments that do not comply? What constitutional principles will decide these questions?

In this course, attorney Matthew Blaisdell will provide an understanding of the relevant enforcement frameworks and how they operate today, various background issues related to immigration enforcement, and the relevant legal issues that have given rise to litigation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Obtain an understanding of the various programs that ICE deploys to affect the enforcement of immigration laws within the borders of the U.S.
2. Define key terms such as “interoperability,” “prosecutorial discretion,” “detainers,” “criminal aliens,” and “unauthorized status,” among others
3. Analyze the legal issues surrounding the President’s executive order regarding “sanctuary cities” and the subsequent, related litigation
4. Anticipate issues that may arise under the current enforcement framework