Question

Identify the economic/political forces that limit the ability of federal agencies to enforce immigration laws

Answer 1

We must keep in mind that if any kind of assistance is provided to the federal government by the local and state police in order to enforce immigration laws is completely voluntary. In the U.S. Code or the Code of Federal Regulation, no provision is provided which makes it mandatory for the local or state law enforcement agencies to develop different types of modes or resources so that the enforcement of federal immigration laws can be ensured.

This statement seems to escape to those individuals who always claims that with the help of statute or policy formulation, the federal government has imposed costly enforcement burden and expenses on the local and state government. This claim is, in fact, a false one.

When an illegal immigrant is captured or arrested by the local or state law enforcement agency, before handing over this individual to the federal immigration authority, the federal government reimburse these agencies all the costs which has occurred while performing these duties and it is a common practice.

The different economic factors which limit the ability of the federal agency are as below:-

Budgeting:- If the crime rate is increasing, more fund allocation can be requested by these agencies.

Expansion:- If there are requirements for the expansion of manpower and resources, the federal government can accept the request for the same.

The political factors are as below:-

Different types of bills and laws which are passed in the local area restricting the movement of local citizens. This can create a political pressure on the local representatives.