Public opinion is sharply divided over the ICE deportation policy, reflecting support from some for stricter immigration controls as a means of national security, while a significant number of critics view it as an inhumane violation of human rights. The discussions emphasize concerns over due process, wrongful detentions, and the moral implications of deportation, revealing profound divisions in societal values surrounding immigration enforcement.

US Government

Advocacy Groups

We’re gonna leave this up as it is a valid question and doesn’t break any rules.  However do note that both Rule 2 and 3 are still in effect for this post regarding incivility and current events.

Peacefulzealot

Obama deported many immigrants at the entry point at the border. In addition, he had targeted raids for immigrants who committed crimes beyond just entering the country illegally. He had systems in place to help local law enforcement communicate with ICE if they had illegal immigrants in their custody.

He also used formal proceedings through the courts.

Bottom line is Obama stated that his deportations would be targeted, and they were indeed targeted. So it did not draw much public scrutiny because there was really no denying that the individuals who were apprehended were legitimately a risk to public safety.

[This is a fact sheet](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/20/fact-sheet-immigration-accountability-executive-action) the Obama White House released at the time of his deportation efforts to explain how he was going about it. For the most part, he did what is mentioned in that fact sheet and did not stray from it.

mew5175_TheSecond

When you focus in on deporting those with criminal records it's actually fairly straightforward....immigration enforcement asks local law enforcement if they have anyone they can't prove is a citizen to be turned over and deported.  A theoretically expanded target population scales up the difficulty as local communities are less interested in cooperation and you need to drum up more resources to do so....it's all much less efficient.

federalist66

Didn’t they count folks turned away at the border as deportations?

terminator3456

Important context about the Obama administration is that *illegal immigrants largely weren't claiming asylum*. Illegal immigration used to mean just sneaking across the border and getting a job. But that changed near the end of Obama's presidency. People realized that there are legal protections for asylum seekers and that almost anyone can request asylum. Without commenting on any particular president's policies, the number of immigrants claiming asylum increased from 76,000 in 2013 to almost 1 million in 2023. Obama had it relatively easy in the sense that a lot of the people he deported had just crossed the border and did not request asylum, so they had fewer legal protections and could be given expedited removal.

WallabyBubbly

It’s as much an administrative process as a law enforcement process. Obama simply used the bureaucracy to deport people efficiently. Any president could do the same if they wanted.

Beginning_Brick7845

By stopping people at the border and following due process.  People aren’t upset about deportations so long as they don’t cross into human rights violations.

ChickenMcSmiley

If you’re at all willing to support deportation at all, Obama was one of the better presidents in recent history. His deportations were very specific while also conducted on a large scale so they were quite effective. It also helps that the immigration enforcement at the border was fairly well staffed and trained.

He also did this while expanding protections for non-violent undocumented immigrants, cooling much criticism toward him on the issue.

JohnnyGeniusIsAlive

[from migrationpolicy.org](https://www.migrationpolicy.org)

“A defining trend of the Biden administration is that, for the first time since the early years of the Obama administration, most deportations have been returns, which require migrants to acknowledge they arrived in the United States unlawfully but allow them to voluntarily depart without receiving a formal removal order. Such returns are called enforcement returns.

…Administrative returns differ from enforcement returns in that agents from the Office of Field Operations (OFO) within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) process cases when the migrant withdraws their application for admission and expedited removal or immigration court proceedings are not initiated.”

Tl;dr there are different types of returns. One stops people when they’re newly in the country just crossing the border and says no you can’t do that, which is what Obama’s admin did a lot of.

Luckypenny4683

Don’t forget Tom Homan also his main guy

Voodoo-Doctor

i feel like this conversation will get bloody and rule 3 related, quickly.

Northfeatherz

We’re just going to forget daca and dreamers act?

handsome_uruk

Chumlee1917

It's easier to get support for enforcing immigration laws when you don't first publicly dehumanize a group of immigrants.

TheAmok777

WorkingItOutSomeday

By following the law and giving folks their day in court. Doing otherwise, it turns out, is counterproductive. Source: My wife is an immigration attorney.

JiveChicken00

Always thought due to the recession and lack of jobs many went home voluntarily.  In many places building basically stopped for nearly two years.

Hamblin113

Because lots of people wanted to come to the country at that point so they would come across, get caught and sent back. When people don’t want to come across due to a bad economy in the U.S. and lots of cruelty, then they have to go looking for people who have been living peacefully here for many years…
Context: I’m an immigration law expert with many years of experience.

globehopper2

While it is true that Obama’s deportation efforts were focused on the border, there’s been some historical revisionism regarding “due process” around immigration for decades.

From the ACLU:

https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/speed-over-fairness-deportation-under-obama

The numbers are staggering: in 1995, 1,400 immigrants were subject to nonjudicial removals, representing 3 percent of total deportations. By FY 2012 that number had sharply increased to 313,000 nonjudicial removals – an all-time high.

Roadhog2018

ICE wasn't created until 2003.  Before that there where were lots of raids and deportations, too.  I can remember that you used to have to be a political refugees to get status and they didn't want economic refugees.  I also remember raids on businesses that hired people illegally but I don't remember who did the raiding.  Then Reagan gave everyone status.

[Here's a history of US immigration laws.](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/09/30/how-u-s-immigration-laws-and-rules-have-changed-through-history/)

Secret-Selection7691

Ok_Calligrapher_3472

My recollection is many immigrants "self-deported" or simply didn't come here because it was the Great Recession and jobs dried up.

Rokey76

mangotexas

He changed the definition of what a deportation was. He changed returns (turned away at the border) to deportations. This was to gain good will from conservatives. Did not work. But it did make the left angry at him and earned him the name Deporter in Chief, all the while the right was saying that the left let immigration get out of control. Quite depressing, really.

TikvahT

Because he did it the correct way.  One of the few times I was shocked at how well the government put something together.  Targeted people who were actually committing crimes, which is actually an alarming percentage of illegals.

Deathnachos

He grabbed people within 100 miles of the border. He also threatened them with either waiting in jail for an indeterminate amount of time,which is legal for ICE to do, or waiving their rights to trial and immediately getting deported. Many chose the latter, and while it’s technically legal, it was a bit dirty. 

Also I’m sure he had mass ICE raids, but they were under the radar. Also he’s Obama, and having charisma gets you away with a lot.

KingTutt91

Nobody really cares. It’s just an excuse to get everyone riled up over. If they really cared now they would have cared then.

BlueCollarRefined

chicagotim1

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AutoModerator

There were massive ICE raids throughout Obama’s presidency, earning him the nickname “Deporter In Chief”. It was all hugely controversial.

The reason you don’t hear much about it anymore is that it was a decade ago and no one cares.

PublicFurryAccount

it was all smoke and mirrors. 

[https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-deportations-20140402-story.html](https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-deportations-20140402-story.html)

[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/04/21/lies-damned-lies-and-obamas-deportation-statistics/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/04/21/lies-damned-lies-and-obamas-deportation-statistics/)

[https://www.politico.com/story/2011/10/obama-deportation-numbers-a-trick-066805](https://www.politico.com/story/2011/10/obama-deportation-numbers-a-trick-066805)

ChemistryFan29

RemindMe! One Week "Read the shit show that will be the comments"

Big_Statistician2566

The media couldn’t stop massaging him long enough to cover them

UnlikelyAd9210

He did the mass ICE raids, but no one cared.

Unique_Statement7811

arcxjo

Rising-Sun00

There were raids. People just weren’t upset about it because it was Obama.

Natty-broh

He didn't do that at all. He also let more in than he kicked out.

Alarmed_Detail_256

Deporter in chief. He was the first one to put migrants in cages

Perfidiousness88

CurseMarkDavid

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/obama-family-deportation-raids-217329 Obama admin did use mass ICE raids.

Sessh83

Deport the most people of any US president, So far...

exids

I thought he did have large ICE raids? I just watched a documentary on Netflix about American apparel. That company had 1500 workers removed during an ICE raid alone.

misshestermoffett



They certainly happened. They were just not being reported on and not politicized, strange that.

Obama also was the president who first implemented the Clinton law that allowed expedited deportation on a large scale. Strangely policies currently keep getting blocked by judges appointed by there person before them.

Obama also did not have to deal with 10 mil people being let in for the 4 years before him.

Lanracie

Everyone in here saying “enforced laws and funded DHS” 

No, they threw people in those same cages everyone had photo ops at under the rule 3 admin and then tossed them out having never seen a judge under “expedited removal” 

&gt;&gt; According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data from fiscal years 2009 to 2016, more than 3 million individuals were formally removed from the country during the Obama administration. Annually, between 58% and 84% of these removals were so-called "summary removals" carried out through legal procedures such as "expedited removal" and "reinstatement of removal," which do not involve a hearing before an immigration judge. On average, about 74% of removals during this period fell into these categories.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/obama-deportations-court/

Sorry this goes contrary of the popular narrative, but it’s a matter of record.

Tokyosmash_

Miserable-Lawyer-233

Fit_Cheesecake_2190

navistar51

They called him "the deporter in Chief." They tried to spin it as only affecting felons, but it hurt him and the Democratic party with Latino voters.

TallBike3

Thread locked because it's been answered, and there's a lot of bad advice in this thread.

1. US citizens are not required to carry ID. However, carrying ID can reduce the disruption to your life when lawfully stopped by local law enforcement or ICE. A US passport card costs $30 and is credit card sized.

2. CBP/ICE has expanded powers to stop and search in the 100 mile border zone (from land/maritime border), where two-thirds of Americans live. This has been upheld by the Supreme Court in United States v. Martinez-Fuerte (1976). 

3. CBP/ICE generally needs reasonable suspicion to stop you, but reasonable suspicion is a much lower standard than people think it is. Reasonable suspicion can conceivably include: resembling the description or photo of someone who has a deportation order, traveling or living with an illegal immigrant, attempting to stop or interfere with the arrest of an illegal immigrant, being an employee of a company that hires illegal immigrants, etc.

4. You have the right to remain silent when stopped by ICE. However, you may be detained until CBP/ICE is able to ascertain your identity and legal presence in the US. This may be a matter of minutes if you identify yourself, or it can be hours or longer if CBP/ICE has to take more complicated measures to identify your status in the US. This is fully legal.

not_an_immi_lawyer

A regular realID would be fine - they can check it and find out if you're a citizen. The passport is even better, since it is direct proof of citizenship.

MedvedTrader

[deleted]

I worked for ICE/CBP under Obama.


A simple "here's my passport / ID, sir/ma'am / officer." is enough. They'll scan your ID or just look at it for 5 - 10 seconds and youll be done.


Simple and easy. All I can say is security (loss prevention, police, guards, etc), whether officiated or private, are trained to look for biases. You assume correctly for skin color, but also clothing and accent. Doesnt make it ethical or moral, but thats just how the world works. &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;


Kinda like how people *look the other way* when a homeless guy asks for change. The homeless guy might be a genuinely great person who fell on hard times, but our subconcious bias has trained 99.9% of us to look the other way.

In an ideal world such scenarios shouldn’t even cross our minds as there is no such thing as a certain look for US citizens. The USA is a blend of all colors and races. 
Realistically speaking though these ICE/USCIS officers are usually cocky and on major power trips. If you’re someone who is easily stressed, suffer from anxiety, ptsd, intellectually disabled, speak English with an accent or anything that may impair your ability to respond or understand don’t leave your home with proof of citizenship or legal status.
Ideally something like enhanced IDs, passport card or anything other than your passport or green card. 
I say passport or green cards as a last option simply because they are expensive to replace and are easily damaged
Try to answer only what they ask, avoid making any sudden movements or make any jokes. 
Even if the officer is an ignorant fool with power, simply play along. Hopefully the encounter is quick and non traumatic in any way. 🙏🏽🤞❤️

Benzolovingtraveler3

You don’t have to give them anything.  If you are willing to be detained and man handled a bit, you’re going to win a huge civil lawsuit in a couple of years.

EnvironmentalLie3771

It’s a good question. I was wondering the same. What if we are stopped together with mixed status? Citizen and legal permanent residents. I worry that the “officers” will disappear their green cards.

ServiceUsed5589

dependent on the officer, ICE has been known to call Real IDs fake and disregard them completely. They've also been documented to ignore passports.

The truth is, if a federal officer wants to take you against your will, they will. Immigration "rule followers" (facist hardliners) will keep pretending things are being done "by the book". Citizens are being detained and held despite showing evidence of citizenship.

If you really want to prepare, have some sort of plan with your loved one's. Share location and check in with each other.

Familiarize yourself with the ICE facilities in your area, and research the ICE inmate system.

yungcdollaz

solowanderer12

Wtf… I didn’t know as citizens we’re still supposed to be scared of ICE just because we’re not white lol I feel like you might be carrying a lot of anxiety rightfully so! If carrying your passport makes you feel better go for it!

RedditHelloMah

You provide them with ID, follow their instructions, and you go your merry way.

triptyx

I live inside the curfew area. Took a picture of my passport to have on my phone. Personally wouldn’t carry something so valuable. Something that could be taken from me.

reverendmotherteg

It’s probably already been mentioned, but passports are available in a wallet size now.

Marquedien

maybe a scan of your birth certificate in addition to Real ID/Passport and you should be solid

Riiken

The odds of you getting pulled over by ice is probably very tiny that it’s not worth worrying over about it. But if you want to feel more secure you can always carry copies of identification and proof of naturalization.

Big-Dudu-77

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights#ive-been-stopped-by-police-or-ice

Lappcat

What a dumb take. That’s your advice to someone born and raised on CA that committed no crime whatsoever?? OP needs to prepare? Prepare for what? Why is this blown so out of proportion? Who is fighting the man?? I simply said, having committed no crime, if Ice asked me for documents I would say no thank you, F off. You want to carry your birth certificate, 2 proofs of ID plus utility bill, that paranoid you. I’m not waging a war against anyone or standing up to the man.

johneracer

If you were to be stopped; you have proof of citizenship. I  think absolutely nothing bad would happen to you. Respond just like if you were pulled over speeding etc. Just be polite, hand over necessary credentials, and they would run it on their computer &amp; that would be it.

Positive_Platypus165

Get a Passport Card. You can order one from the passport agency. It’s a card the size of your driver’s license. The new Real ID driver’s licenses are fine, but if you are worried, get a Passport Card.

jokumi

Ok_Moon_

A Real ID shows that a person has established some sort of legal presence in the US. DMV actually verifies status either via DHS or the SSA, which have in turn done their own verifications. These may take time up to weeks or months before DMV will issue the Real ID in some cases. 

But there is no master database of US citizens notwithstanding theories to the contrary. If someone has had some kind of encounter with DHS such as via some kind of immigration status application he will be in the DHS system as a naturalized citizen or noncitizen , but ICE is about as able to look up an illegal alien as the typical native born citizen who might not even have ever dealt with USCIS or the State Dept and even if he did have a passport his name still wouldn’t immediately come up would take some time absent knowing his passport number.

It’s like criminal records. Once someone has been fingerprinted he will pop up in a law enforcement check but someone with no record will draw a blank.

What ICE is doing these days when they encounter someone they suspect of being a noncitizen is assume he is illegal unless he may prove otherwise.

cryellow

I’m brown and my entire family is immigrants in US, I almost never have an ID on me because of Apple Pay on my phone I forget my wallet at home, lol I’m not worried I’m the slightest

Sonialove8

It’s beyond insane to me that you spent all this time advising a USA citizen, born and raised in CA to be prepared when confronted by ice, having committed no crime whatsoever. What is happening here? What are you concerned with? Wasting their time? Who cares about their time. I certainly don’t.

Tv got you brainwashed guy. Nothing will happen to you

Clear_Quit8181

Nothing. I give them nothing and if they want to arrest me fine.

Cumswap32

Press your birth certificate on a t-shirt. Wear it all the time. Voila!

not-an-AI-

Say hi, be respectfull, and give them your ID when asked.

Glittering_War_2046

Considering they're looking for illegal immigrants, being able to easily pull out documentation that requires or shows citizenship is probably enough. Just remember to not freak out and get aggressive like a weirdo. That's a great way to start something

Also make sure that your documents aren't too easy to pull just to avoid criminals getting more info from you. There's going to be opportunists looking to take advantage of everybody they can right now

Legate_Leonis

That is 0.35% of the undocumented population in LA arrested. If ICE wanted to be effective they should go after employers and landlords. At a pace of 2,800 / month, it will take over 28 years to deport all illegal immigrants in just LA.

jimbosdayoff

No one was even arrested at MacArthur Park. The whole thing was a photo op for the DHS propaganda machine.

LightningChooChoo

Honestly, MacArthur park is gross lmfao. It’s fucking hilarious to see people acting like it’s some sort of lovely little park, when I feel like anyone who actually knows wassup with LA knows it’s one of the many armpits of Los Angeles. I hope the increased police activity clears out the rif raf.

So are they also arresting and deporting Indians? Haven’t heard anything about Indians in general

Specialist-Win835

Tiny_Crazy_9534

Do t think that is correct, but everyone should have a legal id or paper to be here.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has implemented a controversial new deportation policy allowing for rapid deportation of migrants to third countries. Critics raise concerns about the safety and rights of those affected.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Policy

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