Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
@colleenputzelkav.bsky.social
Associate Policy Analyst, U.S. Immigration Policy Program at Migration Policy Institute. Follow all border developments and data closely. All views my own.
Increased immigration enforcement, especially at workplaces, may bring the 30-year old E-Verify program back into the national conversation.
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
Employment Verification: The Next Front for U.S. Immigration Enforcement?
E-Verify has been heralded as a key way to control unauthorized immigration to the United States, but federal efforts to expand the system stalled. There has been movement at the state level over the ...
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Increased immigration enforcement, especially at workplaces, may bring the 30-year old E-Verify program back into the national conversation.
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
With a steep decrease in migrant arrivals at the US-MX border, the Trump administration has directed its focus to enforcement in the US interior.
In a NEW @migrationpolicy.bsky.social short read, I describe key data trends using the latest FY25 data. ⬇️
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/new-era...
In a NEW @migrationpolicy.bsky.social short read, I describe key data trends using the latest FY25 data. ⬇️
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/new-era...
A New Era of Immigration Enforcement Unfolds in the U.S. Interior and at the Border under Trump 2.0
The transformation in U.S. immigration enforcement taking place at the U.S.-Mexico border and in communities across the United States during the second Trump term is tangibly captured in government da...
www.migrationpolicy.org
October 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
With a steep decrease in migrant arrivals at the US-MX border, the Trump administration has directed its focus to enforcement in the US interior.
In a NEW @migrationpolicy.bsky.social short read, I describe key data trends using the latest FY25 data. ⬇️
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/new-era...
In a NEW @migrationpolicy.bsky.social short read, I describe key data trends using the latest FY25 data. ⬇️
www.migrationpolicy.org/news/new-era...
"Maine offers an example of an important question facing policymakers nationwide how to manage broad policy challenges, such as housing and labor shortages, while simultaneously assisting communities in need of additional support immigrant and U.S. born alike"
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mai...
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mai...
Maine’s Immigrant Communities: Diverse Origins, Characteristics, and Challenges
Maine’s immigrant population, though relatively small, is a notably diverse mix of long-settled residents and newcomers from many parts of the world. At a time when the U.S.-born workforce in Maine is...
www.migrationpolicy.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"Maine offers an example of an important question facing policymakers nationwide how to manage broad policy challenges, such as housing and labor shortages, while simultaneously assisting communities in need of additional support immigrant and U.S. born alike"
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mai...
www.migrationpolicy.org/research/mai...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
Happy to share that MPI has updated its online data tool that profiles the country's unauthorized immigrant population at the national, state, and local level to use 2023 American Community Survey data. Check it out here:
Unauthorized Immigrant Population Profiles
Use this unique data tool to learn about unauthorized immigrant populations in the U.S. and by state and for top counties. Get detailed data profiles for the United States, 43 states (plus the Distric...
www.migrationpolicy.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Happy to share that MPI has updated its online data tool that profiles the country's unauthorized immigrant population at the national, state, and local level to use 2023 American Community Survey data. Check it out here:
The Trump administration continues to increase the use of U.S. military in immigration enforcement
Coast Guard presence on the southern border has tripled since the start of the administration, and continues to grow
Coast Guard presence on the southern border has tripled since the start of the administration, and continues to grow
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The Trump administration continues to increase the use of U.S. military in immigration enforcement
Coast Guard presence on the southern border has tripled since the start of the administration, and continues to grow
Coast Guard presence on the southern border has tripled since the start of the administration, and continues to grow
🔔 The Trump administration is ambitiously promoting "self-deportation"
In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti, we look at the building of this enterprise and examine the components of past successes and failures in the U.S. and other countries
bit.ly/SelfDeportat...
In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti, we look at the building of this enterprise and examine the components of past successes and failures in the U.S. and other countries
bit.ly/SelfDeportat...
Can the Trump Administration’s “Self-Deportation” Campaign Succeed?
The Trump administration has launched an ambitious campaign to encourage “self-deportation” as a complement to its muscular immigration enforcement operations. While a somewhat similar U.S. attempt in...
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🔔 The Trump administration is ambitiously promoting "self-deportation"
In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti, we look at the building of this enterprise and examine the components of past successes and failures in the U.S. and other countries
bit.ly/SelfDeportat...
In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti, we look at the building of this enterprise and examine the components of past successes and failures in the U.S. and other countries
bit.ly/SelfDeportat...
📣New CBP data from May provide key insights into how migration has shifted under new policies.
‼️How and where people arrive to the border has changed though encounters remain low and trends of the previous months continue.
🧵Below on these changes and their implications
‼️How and where people arrive to the border has changed though encounters remain low and trends of the previous months continue.
🧵Below on these changes and their implications
June 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
📣New CBP data from May provide key insights into how migration has shifted under new policies.
‼️How and where people arrive to the border has changed though encounters remain low and trends of the previous months continue.
🧵Below on these changes and their implications
‼️How and where people arrive to the border has changed though encounters remain low and trends of the previous months continue.
🧵Below on these changes and their implications
The enforcement-centric policies may have reduced migration to the U.S.-Mexico border, but migration does not stop.
Smugglers adapt to changing policies and migration has now become more remote and more dangerous.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Smugglers adapt to changing policies and migration has now become more remote and more dangerous.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Amid Trump's southern border clampdown, smugglers and migrants use deadlier routes into U.S.
The flow of migrants has dropped significantly, but thousands are still trying to cross, and smugglers are increasingly finding ways to send migrants alone through treacherous terrain.
www.nbcnews.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The enforcement-centric policies may have reduced migration to the U.S.-Mexico border, but migration does not stop.
Smugglers adapt to changing policies and migration has now become more remote and more dangerous.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Smugglers adapt to changing policies and migration has now become more remote and more dangerous.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Since January, irregular arrivals to the U.S.-Mexico border have hit lows not seen since the 1960s.
The real test will be whether these lows can be sustained absent key ingredients that led to them in the first place.
Read my latest here: www.migrationpolicy.org/news/low-mig...
The real test will be whether these lows can be sustained absent key ingredients that led to them in the first place.
Read my latest here: www.migrationpolicy.org/news/low-mig...
Can Near-Historic Low Migrant Encounter Levels at the U.S.-Mexico Border Be Sustained?
Migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have fallen to lows not seen since the 1960s. But can this trend continue amid a sharp policy shift to a deterrence-focused approach, setting aside a carro...
www.migrationpolicy.org
June 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Since January, irregular arrivals to the U.S.-Mexico border have hit lows not seen since the 1960s.
The real test will be whether these lows can be sustained absent key ingredients that led to them in the first place.
Read my latest here: www.migrationpolicy.org/news/low-mig...
The real test will be whether these lows can be sustained absent key ingredients that led to them in the first place.
Read my latest here: www.migrationpolicy.org/news/low-mig...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
Big news in a humanitarian parole court case:
Yesterday, a lower court judge said USCIS needs to process parolees' applications for asylum & work permits
Also certified a nationwide class covering certain Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans & more
Yesterday, a lower court judge said USCIS needs to process parolees' applications for asylum & work permits
Also certified a nationwide class covering certain Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans & more
#BREAKING: 🥳📣Good news for your feed! A federal judge in Massachusetts issued two rulings in our case, Svitlana Doe v. Noem, today defending the #FreedomToWelcome.
Here's what you need to know 👇
Here's what you need to know 👇
May 29, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Big news in a humanitarian parole court case:
Yesterday, a lower court judge said USCIS needs to process parolees' applications for asylum & work permits
Also certified a nationwide class covering certain Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans & more
Yesterday, a lower court judge said USCIS needs to process parolees' applications for asylum & work permits
Also certified a nationwide class covering certain Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans & more
📣In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti we map out the administration's attempt to expand ICE's access to even more databases like IRS, USPS, and SSA.
We also untangle the web of databases ICE already has access to, including its reliance on private data companies.
Read ⬇️
bit.ly/ICE-data-col...
We also untangle the web of databases ICE already has access to, including its reliance on private data companies.
Read ⬇️
bit.ly/ICE-data-col...
Seeking to Ramp Up Deportations, the Trump Administration Quietly Expands a Vast Web of Data
In its bid to ramp up deportations, the Trump administration is granting ICE access to a swath of government databases that were previously off limits for immigration enforcement, including sensitive ...
bit.ly
May 29, 2025 at 3:23 PM
📣In my latest with Muzaffar Chishti we map out the administration's attempt to expand ICE's access to even more databases like IRS, USPS, and SSA.
We also untangle the web of databases ICE already has access to, including its reliance on private data companies.
Read ⬇️
bit.ly/ICE-data-col...
We also untangle the web of databases ICE already has access to, including its reliance on private data companies.
Read ⬇️
bit.ly/ICE-data-col...
Judge dismisses nearly 100 trespassing charges in "National Defense Areas" along the border citing that intent to enter a military area must be proved.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/u...
Judge Dismisses ‘Trespassing’ Charges Promoted by Trump in Border ‘Defense Area’
www.nytimes.com
May 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Judge dismisses nearly 100 trespassing charges in "National Defense Areas" along the border citing that intent to enter a military area must be proved.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/u...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
New MPI estimates - with Demographer Jenny Van Hook - show that Pres. Trump's EO on birthright citizenship would grow the population of people without legal status in the U.S., not shrink it. Unauthorized population would be 5.4 million larger in 2075 than under current practice.
Repealing Birthright Citizenship Would Significantly Increase the Size of the U.S. Unauthorized Population
Repealing birthright citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil to unauthorized immigrants or temporary visa holders would have a contrary result from its stated aim of reducing the unauthorized immigra...
www.migrationpolicy.org
May 13, 2025 at 1:39 PM
New MPI estimates - with Demographer Jenny Van Hook - show that Pres. Trump's EO on birthright citizenship would grow the population of people without legal status in the U.S., not shrink it. Unauthorized population would be 5.4 million larger in 2075 than under current practice.
📣NEW April CBP data shows a slight increase in encounters btwn POEs to 8K, primarily driven by an increase in Mexican nationals.
It is the highest month of encounters so far in this term for the Trump administration.
🧵below by @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social and me
It is the highest month of encounters so far in this term for the Trump administration.
🧵below by @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social and me
May 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
📣NEW April CBP data shows a slight increase in encounters btwn POEs to 8K, primarily driven by an increase in Mexican nationals.
It is the highest month of encounters so far in this term for the Trump administration.
🧵below by @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social and me
It is the highest month of encounters so far in this term for the Trump administration.
🧵below by @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social and me
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
CBP quietly revoked protections for at-risk people in custody—including pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with serious medical conditions—calling them “misaligned” with enforcement priorities. The rules required basics like diapers, formula, and water.
www.wired.com/story/cbp-re...
www.wired.com/story/cbp-re...
US Customs and Border Protection Quietly Revokes Protections for Pregnant Women and Infants
CBP's acting commissioner has rescinded four Biden-era policies that aimed to protect vulnerable people in the agency's custody, including mothers, infants, and the elderly.
www.wired.com
May 8, 2025 at 10:07 PM
CBP quietly revoked protections for at-risk people in custody—including pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with serious medical conditions—calling them “misaligned” with enforcement priorities. The rules required basics like diapers, formula, and water.
www.wired.com/story/cbp-re...
www.wired.com/story/cbp-re...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
There were 1.8 million asylum applications pending at the immigration courts, as of March 2025
In particular, asylum cases are a big impediment to Trump's mass deportation plans:
--they take longer to adjudicate because
--they're more complex &
--they can result in protection from deportation
In particular, asylum cases are a big impediment to Trump's mass deportation plans:
--they take longer to adjudicate because
--they're more complex &
--they can result in protection from deportation
May 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
There were 1.8 million asylum applications pending at the immigration courts, as of March 2025
In particular, asylum cases are a big impediment to Trump's mass deportation plans:
--they take longer to adjudicate because
--they're more complex &
--they can result in protection from deportation
In particular, asylum cases are a big impediment to Trump's mass deportation plans:
--they take longer to adjudicate because
--they're more complex &
--they can result in protection from deportation
Hablé con @citylimitsnews.bsky.social sobre los cambios en los primeros 100 días de la administración de Trump incluyendo deportaciones y los cambios en la frontera.
Escucha aquí
citylimits.org/podcast-que-...
Escucha aquí
citylimits.org/podcast-que-...
PODCAST: ¿Qué cambios ha realizado Trump en materia de inmigración durante los primeros 100 días de su segundo mandato? - City Limits
En este breve lapso, el presidente Trump ha adoptado 181 medidas en materia de inmigración, más que las 94 que tomó el expresidente Joe Biden en el mismo periodo y seis veces más que las que tomó Trum...
citylimits.org
May 8, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Hablé con @citylimitsnews.bsky.social sobre los cambios en los primeros 100 días de la administración de Trump incluyendo deportaciones y los cambios en la frontera.
Escucha aquí
citylimits.org/podcast-que-...
Escucha aquí
citylimits.org/podcast-que-...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
In response to @freedom.press FOIA request, ODNI declassified & released an intel memo contradicting a key claim Trump made to invoke the Alien Enemies Act
Confirms reporting the Trump admin characterized as false & used to justify weakening limits on leak inquiries
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/u...
Confirms reporting the Trump admin characterized as false & used to justify weakening limits on leak inquiries
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/u...
Spy Agencies Do Not Think Venezuela Directs Gang, Declassified Memo Shows
The release of the memo further undercuts the Trump administration’s rationale for using the Alien Enemies Act to deport scores of Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador.
www.nytimes.com
May 6, 2025 at 12:26 AM
In response to @freedom.press FOIA request, ODNI declassified & released an intel memo contradicting a key claim Trump made to invoke the Alien Enemies Act
Confirms reporting the Trump admin characterized as false & used to justify weakening limits on leak inquiries
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/u...
Confirms reporting the Trump admin characterized as false & used to justify weakening limits on leak inquiries
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/u...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
Inbox: ICE says it has deported 65,682 and made 66,463 arrests during Trump's first 100 days.
The agency says it now has 579 signed or pending 287(g) agreements with police and sheriff's departments -- 444 of them since Jan. 20.
The agency says it now has 579 signed or pending 287(g) agreements with police and sheriff's departments -- 444 of them since Jan. 20.
April 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Inbox: ICE says it has deported 65,682 and made 66,463 arrests during Trump's first 100 days.
The agency says it now has 579 signed or pending 287(g) agreements with police and sheriff's departments -- 444 of them since Jan. 20.
The agency says it now has 579 signed or pending 287(g) agreements with police and sheriff's departments -- 444 of them since Jan. 20.
In the first 100 days, the Trump administration has taken 175 immigration related actions drastically shaking up the U.S. immigration system.
My @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleagues @kathleenbush.bsky.social and Muzaffar Chishti unpack these changes in their latest, link below.
My @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleagues @kathleenbush.bsky.social and Muzaffar Chishti unpack these changes in their latest, link below.
April 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In the first 100 days, the Trump administration has taken 175 immigration related actions drastically shaking up the U.S. immigration system.
My @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleagues @kathleenbush.bsky.social and Muzaffar Chishti unpack these changes in their latest, link below.
My @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleagues @kathleenbush.bsky.social and Muzaffar Chishti unpack these changes in their latest, link below.
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
Repealing birthright citizenship would mean:
🔹swelling the size of the existing unauthorized population
🔹creating a multigenerational class of US-born residents deprived of full rights
Our Senior Fellow Michael Fix explains what's at stake, in new op-ed👇
riponsociety.org/article/shou...
🔹swelling the size of the existing unauthorized population
🔹creating a multigenerational class of US-born residents deprived of full rights
Our Senior Fellow Michael Fix explains what's at stake, in new op-ed👇
riponsociety.org/article/shou...
April 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Repealing birthright citizenship would mean:
🔹swelling the size of the existing unauthorized population
🔹creating a multigenerational class of US-born residents deprived of full rights
Our Senior Fellow Michael Fix explains what's at stake, in new op-ed👇
riponsociety.org/article/shou...
🔹swelling the size of the existing unauthorized population
🔹creating a multigenerational class of US-born residents deprived of full rights
Our Senior Fellow Michael Fix explains what's at stake, in new op-ed👇
riponsociety.org/article/shou...
📣New CBP data from March show 7K encounters between ports of entry, the lowest since 1967 when border encounters averaged 6K per month.
💡Rather than an isolated event, this low is part of a years long three-phased story
🧵Below with @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social
💡Rather than an isolated event, this low is part of a years long three-phased story
🧵Below with @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 12:48 AM
📣New CBP data from March show 7K encounters between ports of entry, the lowest since 1967 when border encounters averaged 6K per month.
💡Rather than an isolated event, this low is part of a years long three-phased story
🧵Below with @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social
💡Rather than an isolated event, this low is part of a years long three-phased story
🧵Below with @migrationpolicy.bsky.social colleague @ruizags.bsky.social
This Friday @kathleenbush.bsky.social and I will be presenting on the Trump administration's actions thus far including an update on the promise of mass deportations, border enforcement efforts, and the dramatic shifts in the U.S. government.
Register at the link in comments
Register at the link in comments
April 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This Friday @kathleenbush.bsky.social and I will be presenting on the Trump administration's actions thus far including an update on the promise of mass deportations, border enforcement efforts, and the dramatic shifts in the U.S. government.
Register at the link in comments
Register at the link in comments
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
On 4/4, @colleenputzelkav.bsky.social & I are going to talk about the Trump admin's initial immigration actions @georgetown-sfs.bsky.social
We will talk about ICE arrests, deportations, litigation & more
Register to watch online:
cisneros.columbian.gwu.edu/trump-admini...
We will talk about ICE arrests, deportations, litigation & more
Register to watch online:
cisneros.columbian.gwu.edu/trump-admini...
March 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
On 4/4, @colleenputzelkav.bsky.social & I are going to talk about the Trump admin's initial immigration actions @georgetown-sfs.bsky.social
We will talk about ICE arrests, deportations, litigation & more
Register to watch online:
cisneros.columbian.gwu.edu/trump-admini...
We will talk about ICE arrests, deportations, litigation & more
Register to watch online:
cisneros.columbian.gwu.edu/trump-admini...
Reposted by Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh
DEPORTATIONS DATA--sources say ICE & CBP have made 113,000 arrests & 100,000+ deportations since Trump's inauguration
Puts the admin on pace to deport a little over 500,000 people per year from interior & at the border
nypost.com/2025/03/31/u...
Puts the admin on pace to deport a little over 500,000 people per year from interior & at the border
nypost.com/2025/03/31/u...
Exclusive | Trump administration has arrested 113K migrants, deported over 100K since taking office
“He’s doing what he was voted in to do. Point blank!” an ICE source told The Post Monday.
nypost.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:47 PM
DEPORTATIONS DATA--sources say ICE & CBP have made 113,000 arrests & 100,000+ deportations since Trump's inauguration
Puts the admin on pace to deport a little over 500,000 people per year from interior & at the border
nypost.com/2025/03/31/u...
Puts the admin on pace to deport a little over 500,000 people per year from interior & at the border
nypost.com/2025/03/31/u...