Week of August 8–14, 2024

Since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created in 2003, the U.S. government has spent around $409 billion on immigration enforcement, including border barriers and infrastructure. Congress continues to allocate record funding for these efforts, which focus on two main areas: border security and interior enforcement. Border security involves staffing and resources for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), while interior enforcement focuses on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which manages detention, deportation, and removal proceedings.

Currently, ICE and CBP employ nearly 88,000 people, with the number of U.S. Border Patrol agents almost doubling since 2003. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) staff also tripled during this time. Despite significant spending, results have been mixed. Projects like the $1 billion virtual fence along the Southwest border failed, and the U.S. continues to face rising death tolls from irregular migration, with over two deaths per day at the Southern border in FY 2022.

While enforcement spending has soared, funding for humanitarian protection and immigration courts has lagged behind, causing backlogs and delays. In FY 2024, detention centers received nearly three times the funding as the immigration court system. To address immigration challenges more effectively, the U.S. must shift from enforcement-based policies to a more balanced approach that includes building a functional humanitarian protection system.

Dominican immigrants make up 3 percent of the 46.2 million immigrants in the U.S., but their population has grown 46 percent since 2010, compared to a 16 percent increase for all immigrants. With 1.3 million people, Dominicans are the second-largest Caribbean immigrant group, after Cubans, and the fourth-largest Latino group.

Until the mid-20th century, Dominican immigration was limited due to dictator Rafael Trujillo’s strict emigration policies. However, after his assassination in 1961 and the U.S. military intervention in 1965, political unrest and economic instability led to a surge in emigration. By 1980, Dominican immigrants in the U.S. numbered 169,000, growing further due to economic crises and reduced sugar exports. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which prioritized family reunification, allowed for more Dominicans to settle in the U.S.

Most Dominicans historically have settled in New York City, particularly in Washington Heights. As of 2018-22, around 55 percent of Dominicans lived in the greater New York metropolitan area, making them the second most geographically concentrated Latino group, after Cubans in Miami.

This article provides an overview of Dominican immigrants, focusing on their size, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic characteristics in the U.S.

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) has significantly reformed the EB-5 program, which grants U.S. green cards through foreign investment. Originally created in 1990, the EB-5 program faced challenges like fraud, long processing times, and limited visa availability. The RIA, enacted on March 15, 2022, introduced key improvements, making it an attractive option for those seeking permanent residency in the U.S.

The new EB-5 program sets investment requirements at $800,000 for projects in rural or high-unemployment areas and $1,050,000 for others. Investors must prove their funds are lawfully sourced and create ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers. Regional centers, approved by USCIS, allow pooled investments into commercial projects like hotels and hospitals, easing the job creation requirement through indirect employment.

Key benefits of the EB-5 program include the ability to adjust status within the U.S., work and travel permits valid for five years, and special visa categories for rural and infrastructure projects that are current for all nationalities. The RIA also offers flexibility in sourcing funds and allows adjustment of status despite certain immigration violations. Additionally, it protects children from aging out of eligibility and provides enhanced investor protections to reduce fraud.

With improved protections and processing times, the RIA revitalizes the EB-5 program, offering a valuable alternative for investors amid the growing challenges in traditional immigration routes.

Donald Trump has defended the controversial family separation policy used during his presidency and hinted it could return if he wins the 2024 election. The policy, implemented in 2018, aimed to deter illegal immigration by separating parents from their children at the U.S.-Mexico border. Though it sparked public outrage and was eventually halted, Trump continued to push for its return, arguing that it effectively reduced migration.

In a 2023 interview, Trump reiterated that separating families discouraged migrants, though data suggests otherwise. Apprehensions at the border actually increased during his administration, and fact-checkers debunked his claim that family separation was first implemented under President Obama.

Key figures in the Trump administration, such as Stephen Miller, supported the policy, while others, including DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, resisted its reinstatement due to logistical issues and public backlash. Critics argue that the policy showed a disregard for the welfare of children, with many unable to reunite with their families.

Despite legal obstacles, including a 2023 settlement banning family separation until 2031, analysts believe Trump could find ways to bypass the ruling by introducing similar policies under different terms. His administration might also use noncompliance with court orders to push its agenda, raising concerns that a second Trump term could see a return of this divisive immigration tactic.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order requiring hospitals to track the costs of care for undocumented migrants, aiming to seek federal reimbursement. Starting November 1, 2024, Texas hospitals must collect data on the immigration status of patients, a new mandate that builds on previous policies that did not require this information. The order directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to gather the data and report the costs to the federal government for reimbursement.

Abbott criticized the Biden administration's border policies, stating that Texans should not bear the financial burden of medical care for undocumented immigrants. Hospitals will be required to report these costs quarterly, beginning in March 2025.

Carrie Williams, spokesperson for the Texas Hospital Association, noted that hospitals are currently obligated to provide life-saving treatment to all patients, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. The association is reviewing the order to better understand its implications, as immigration status has not previously been a condition for treatment.

The Texas Hospital Association, which has supported The Texas Tribune, emphasized that their role is to evaluate the new order and address questions after further analysis. The Tribune maintains editorial independence from its financial supporters.

As Minnesota governor, Tim Walz has made immigration reform a key part of his agenda, aligning with Democratic policies on health care and public services for undocumented immigrants. He signed laws granting undocumented individuals access to state-funded health care, driver's licenses, and free college tuition, placing Minnesota among the few states with such policies. These actions, particularly on health care and driver's licenses, have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, who argue they incentivize illegal immigration.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized Walz's nomination as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, calling their ticket the "most dangerous" due to their stances on immigration. Abbott highlighted Walz's support for free health care and state services for undocumented immigrants as contributing to increased immigration.

Walz has defended his approach, emphasizing the need for comprehensive border security beyond a physical wall. He supports using technology and more border agents and advocates for a legal immigration system that reflects American traditions. He has also criticized former President Trump for obstructing bipartisan immigration reform.

Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have also attacked Walz for his handling of the 2020 Minneapolis riots following George Floyd’s death. Walz's congressional record includes support for pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and opposition to legislation restricting deferrals on deportation. Immigration remains a key issue as Republicans target Walz's policy decisions in the upcoming election.

The Arizona Supreme Court has approved Proposition 314, allowing it to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. This measure would let state and local law enforcement arrest individuals who cross the Arizona-Mexico border illegally, except at designated ports of entry. It also introduces penalties for selling fentanyl resulting in death and mandates the use of a federal database to verify noncitizens’ eligibility for government benefits.

The measure, seen as a key issue in the upcoming election, is supported by Republicans aiming to highlight border security. They argue that federal immigration enforcement is inadequate, leading to illegal crossings and misuse of public benefits. Opponents, including Latino groups, contend that the proposal combines unrelated issues—immigration enforcement, fentanyl, and benefits regulation—while raising concerns about racial profiling, Arizona's business reputation, and increased costs for local law enforcement.

A challenge to the measure was rejected by the Arizona Supreme Court, which ruled it met the state’s single-subject requirement for ballot proposals. The proposition's approval follows the state’s contentious 2010 immigration law, which required police to check individuals' immigration status in certain circumstances.

On the same ballot, a measure that would enshrine abortion rights in Arizona’s constitution will also be decided. If passed, it would extend legal abortions to about 24 weeks of pregnancy. Arizona currently allows abortions up to 15 weeks.

Project 2025 is the Heritage Foundation’s playbook for the next conservative administration, co-authored by former President Trump’s allies. Its recommendations span all policy areas, but the most significant are its proposed changes to the U.S. immigration system, which could have devastating consequences. One major proposal involves cutting off backlogged visa categories for legal immigrants, without clearly defining what constitutes "excessive" backlogs. This would further worsen delays and prevent applications in about 15 immigration categories, including asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and protections for victims of human trafficking.

The plan would force asylum seekers to overstay or violate their visas to apply defensively, leading to even longer delays. TPS, which protects 850,000 individuals in the U.S., would also be affected, as the cessation of applications would prevent re-registration. This could result in their loss of legal status, adding them to the unauthorized immigrant population and costing the U.S. an estimated $31 billion in annual economic activity.

Project 2025 brands its policies as workload management tools, but in practice, they would increase the undocumented population and impose significant economic burdens. The proposed bureaucratic hurdles would likely create new backlogs and cut-offs, further straining the U.S. immigration system and economy.

Immigration has been central to Donald Trump’s dominance of the Republican Party for nearly a decade. His hardline stance on immigration won him the GOP nomination in 2016 and remains a key factor in the 2024 primaries. At last month’s Republican National Convention, immigration dominated discussions. Trump announced Senator JD Vance as his running mate and vowed to launch the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.

Public opinion on immigration has shifted sharply rightward since Joe Biden took office. Support for reducing immigration surged from 28% in 2020 to 55% in 2024, the highest since 2001. This shift, driven by increasing concerns over border crossings, has strengthened Trump’s position. Among Republicans, 88% now support decreasing immigration, a sharp increase from 48% in 2020. Even among Democrats, the percentage favoring immigration reduction rose from 13% to 28%.

Despite this rightward shift, history shows public opinion tends to react against the current administration’s policies, following the "thermostatic model." Just as opinions moved leftward during Trump's presidency, they shifted rightward under Biden. If Trump wins in 2024 and enacts drastic immigration reforms, public opinion may again swing left, weakening his long-term advantage.

Though immigration is currently a winning issue for Trump, its potential to fuel backlash suggests his dominance may be temporary.

WHYY and the Welcoming Center are co-hosting an event on Wednesday, Sept. 18, to discuss a study by The Pew Charitable Trusts on the role of immigrant workers in Philadelphia’s economy. Titled "Immigration, Inc: The Role of Immigrants in Philadelphia’s Economy," the event will examine how foreign-born individuals contribute to the city’s workforce and impact local businesses. The Pew Charitable Trusts' research includes demographic data on immigrant workers, details on the types of businesses they own, and the wages they earn.

The event will feature speaker Zeke Hernandez, author of The Truth About Immigration, as well as a panel discussion with several immigrant entrepreneurs. Other partners in the event include HIAS Pennsylvania and the Nationalities Services Center.

The event will take place at WHYY Studios, 150 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order mandating hospitals to track the costs of treating undocumented immigrants has sparked concern among public health and immigrant advocates. The order, effective November 1, requires Texas hospitals to record patients' immigration status and report quarterly the costs associated with treating those in the country illegally, with the first report due in March 2025.

Abbott argued that Texas is unfairly burdened by medical costs for undocumented immigrants due to federal border policies and aims to seek reimbursement from the federal government. However, health and immigration advocates warn the policy could discourage immigrants from seeking medical care, including U.S. citizen children of undocumented parents.

Erin O’Malley, a policy analyst for Every Texan, noted that Texas’ refusal to expand Medicaid contributes to uncompensated care burdens. Critics also compare the policy to Trump-era public charge rules, which deterred immigrant families from accessing healthcare.

Some hospitals, like Houston Methodist, await further instructions on implementing the order while reaffirming their commitment to patient care. Advocacy groups worry that families may avoid healthcare services out of fear, potentially leading to worse health outcomes.

Alain Cisneros, from FIEL Houston, emphasized the importance of continuing to seek medical care, as the order has not yet taken effect. Legal challenges are anticipated regarding privacy concerns under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order on August 8, requiring public hospitals to report the immigration status of patients starting November 1. The goal is to track costs incurred for treating undocumented individuals. While the order claims it won't affect the quality of care, immigrant advocates worry it could discourage undocumented people from seeking medical attention due to privacy concerns.

Fort Worth hospitals, along with other facilities enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, must report data quarterly to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, with the first report due in March 2025. The Texas commission will also report annually on the costs of care for undocumented patients.

Critics argue the executive order could violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient privacy. Legal experts suggest that while exceptions to HIPAA might exist, it's unclear whether the order meets those criteria.

Advocates fear the policy could worsen health outcomes by deterring people from seeking care, potentially leading to a public health crisis. The Latino community, particularly in Texas where Hispanics make up a significant portion of the population, could face heightened fear and stigma.

Meanwhile, some conservatives criticize Abbott's order for not going far enough, calling for stricter immigration enforcement measures. The policy reflects broader efforts by Republican-led states to address immigration through healthcare regulations.

An indictment unsealed Monday charged four men, including two retired LA County Sheriff's deputies and two former soldiers from Australia and Britain, with staging a fake law enforcement raid in Irvine, California. The raid allegedly involved coercing a resident, a Chinese immigrant and legal U.S. resident, into signing away business interests worth over $37 million.

The victim had been in a dispute with a former business associate in China, who allegedly paid over $400,000 to arrange the 2019 raid. U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated that the goal was to force the victim to sign a contract relinquishing his business rights through intimidation and extortion.

One of the accused, former deputy Steven A. Lankford, who was still employed part-time by the Sheriff’s Department at the time, allegedly used his badge and law enforcement access to carry out the raid. Estrada said Lankford used his position to intimidate the victim, threatening deportation.

The indictment also claims Lankford attempted to hinder the investigation after the victim reported the incident to Irvine police. The four defendants appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday, facing charges of conspiracy to commit extortion and depriving rights under the color of law.

The business associate in China who allegedly orchestrated the raid was not named in the criminal complaint.

Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA 46, requiring Texas public hospitals to collect data on patients' immigration status, focusing on inpatient discharges and emergency room visits. The goal is for the federal government to reimburse Texas for the medical costs associated with undocumented migrants. Abbott argues that Texans shouldn't bear the financial burden caused by what he sees as the Biden-Harris administration's "open border policies."

Representative Briscoe Cain supports the move, emphasizing that Texas taxpayers are covering these costs and it’s time for the federal government to pay. However, critics like Sergio Lira, president of Greater Houston LULAC, highlight that undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the economy, including $2.6 billion to state and local taxes.

Gabriel Rosales, LULAC’s Texas director, questions the purpose of the collected data and calls the order "political rhetoric." LULAC officials warn that the measure could deter immigrants from seeking necessary medical care, increasing fear within migrant communities.

Despite the debate, the rule is set to take effect on November 1st, with the first report expected by 2026. Some argue the federal government already subsidizes many medical costs, raising further questions about the necessity of the order.

The Biden administration announced plans to expand the areas where migrants can apply online for entry into the U.S. at the southern border. This expansion will now include parts of southern Mexico, potentially easing pressure on the Mexican government and reducing risks for migrants seeking asylum. The online system allows migrants to schedule appointments, avoiding dangerous border crossings.

Meanwhile, former President Trump falsely claimed that 20 million migrants entered the U.S. during Biden's term. Official U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows 8.2 million arrests from January 2021 to June 2024, but this figure includes repeat crossings and does not represent individual people.

In other global immigration news, Afghan refugees in Iran fear deportation as forced returns continue, and two migrants died during a rescue operation off Sicily's coast. Climate-induced flooding has also displaced thousands in Sudan, exacerbating the country's humanitarian crisis. In the U.K., far-right violence has erupted following false reports about a Muslim migrant being involved in a stabbing incident. Additionally, the Taliban claims millions of Afghans have returned home, though the International Organization for Migration reports even more have fled the country since 2020.