ICE Targeting Trends by Nationality
Latest Immigration Court Data

Thursday, February 17, 2012, 2:00pm EST

1. What is TRAC?
   • Research Center at Syracuse University (established 1989)
     • TRAC Website
     • About TRAC
     • TRAC Immigration
   • Co-directors: Professors Susan B. Long and David Burnham
   • Self-supporting: Webinar funded by Four Freedoms Fund


2. Data obtained by TRAC FOIAs to monitor ICE targeting practices
   • Where the data come from: case-by-case records on all Immigration Court Proceedings
     • see About the Data
   • Terminology: Charge (the legal basis ICE alleges for seeking deportation order)
     • Violating immigration rules (entry without inspection, violation of other immigration rules)
     • Engaged in criminal activity (aggravated felon, other crimes)
     • Terrorist or national security risk
   • Useful links:
     • Listing of deportable criminal offenses and how frequently each has been used
     • Text of immigration laws referred to: 8 USC 1182 and 8 USC 1227


3. TRAC report series: ICE Targeting Practices
   • ICE Charges Criminal Activity in Fewer Deportation Proceedings, May 8, 2012
   • Immigration Enforcement Since 9/11: A Reality Check, September 9, 2011


4. Overview of TRAC Findings: ICE requests for deportation orders in Immigration Court
   • Overall trends -- most recent and long term
   • overall, now fewer requests are based on alleged criminal activity
   • currently declining proportion of requests cite criminal activity
   • long term trends (pre vs post 9/11) requests up, those citing criminal activity down
   • EOIR vs ICE data: ICE says it "cannot reliably identify" court cases it has filed
   • Trends for top 5 nationalities:
   • Mexico
   • Guatemala
   • El Salvador
   • Honduras
   • China
   
   
5. Where you can get more details for other nationalities -- TRAC online data and tools


6. Discussion -- attendee questions