Introduction
As an undocumented immigrant, you live in daily fear of deportation from your family and loved ones. Knowing which groups of people are being targeted by deportation efforts and how new laws affect people’s lives and services that they are entitled to is crucial to protecting yourself and your rights. How do you navigate all of this?
Define Priority Groups for Deportation
There are many undocumented immigrants living in the US fearing the day that they get found out and will be deported. Many do not even know all of the rules that apply to them, and fear the day that they will get picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The rules for who is a priority for deportation for ICE have recently been outlined in detail on their website, winners of whoever is prioridad para deportacion.
- National Security Threats: Individuals who pose a threat to the safety and security of the American people and U.S. interests. This includes individuals who support terrorism, engage in espionage against the United States, or are otherwise threats to national security.
- Border Apprehensions: This group includes individuals who have entered the US illegally and have been picked up by Customs and Border Protection at the border.
- Serious Criminal Offenses: Individuals with serious or violent crimes committed on or off of offspring, even though many years have passed and the individual is a law abiding citizen of the U.S. today.
Knowing the categories of people that ICE intends to remove from the country can help individuals understand how certain immigration policies will affect them. Recently the likelihood of removal within 60 days of detention has dramatically increased for individuals in ICE custody. Right now a whopping 63% of all individuals that ICE detains, those who are prioridad para deportacion, will be removed from the country within 60 days or less. Not only have the numbers of individuals detained by ICE dramatically increased over previous records, but also the number of bookings in a single month has increased dramatically. In July 2026 for example there were over 46,000 bookings by ICE.
In a recent case for example, the number of ICE arrests have gone up dramatically in many parts of the country, leading to the deportation of individuals with NO prior criminal history. In fact, the odds of removal for such individuals have doubled or even tripled in many areas. Detention policies are so restrictive these days, that individuals who are seeking to remain in this country permanently, and are even fighting for their lawful rights to do so, are instead being deported back to their countries of origin. In fact, in 2025 the number of voluntary departures increased by an astonishing 28-fold.
Understanding the implications of each individual’s status will help to arm them with the necessary knowledge to defend their future and rights in this country. Knowing the current categories of priority for removal by ICE can help protect your future in this country.
Contextualize Priority Groups in Immigration Law
Polices and procedures for the removal of families have become increasingly complex and have become tied to the current politics of the country and the negative perception of immigrants. Families of individuals who have been convicted of very serious crimes were considered to be a priority for removal by the administration of President Barack Obama. Under the administration of President Donald Trump, however, the policies and procedures for the removal of families were made much broader and would result in the removal of almost all of the undocumented immigrants living in the country. Today, the administration of President Joe Biden is attempting to put in place the most humane immigration policies in order to manage immigration into the country.
In a press release dated September 29, 2021, President Biden directed ICE to focus on Priority 1 leads in order to remove individuals who pose the greatest threat to the national security or public safety of Americans. Yet even in that new policy, DHS recognizes that “other” removal regulatory actions are frequently applied to individuals who are not priorities for removal and that such removals account for roughly one-third of all removals by ICE. Indeed, the number of compliance returns (i.e., voluntary departures) included within removals reached 289,000 in FY 2023, the highest such number since FY 2010, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The data from previous administrations highlights the removal policies focused on returns over removals of individuals from the country. Clinton saw 93% of removals were returns, while during the Bush administration 81% of removals were returns. Individuals and their families currently trying to navigate the U.S. entry regulations will find that the focus of the Biden administration’s removals is similarly to prioritize returns over removals of individuals and families. An example of this enforcement with a focus to keep families together in removal proceedings is the policy of Keeping Families Together.
Understanding who ICE deems to be priorities for removal can help us better understand U.S. entry regulations as well as the rights and choices of individuals and their families here who are facing potential removal.
Explore the Origins of Deportation Priority Groups
A Brief History of Priority Deportation Groups in U.S. Immigration Laws. What is Prioridad Para Deportacion in U.S. immigration laws. A look at who is in these deportation priority groups and how these laws came to be including key immigration enforcement laws such as the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) dating back to 1965 when immigration laws in the U.S. transitioned from laws based on national origin to laws that favor immigration of foreign born individuals who are seeking to join their families already living in the U.S. as well as highly skilled individuals seeking to migrate to the U.S. in order to work in their field of expertise.
Currently, U.S. immigration enforcement focuses on the removal of individuals deemed by the administration to be quienes son prioridad para deportacion. Meanwhile, stories and circumstances of individual families are ignored by the U.S. immigration system. According to the most recent numbers from the Biden administration, there were 289,000 compliance returns in FY 2023, the highest number of such actions since FY 2010. In turn, immigration enforcement has and continues to focus on certain groups of individuals.
Learning about immigration laws will help families struggling to cross the border and apply for residency in the U.S. today. There are many problems that these families encounter while trying to survive in this country. Mass removals are predicted to decrease the U.S. GDP by more than 7% in the next 3 years, writes immigration analyst Sarah Krieger in her article from last year.
Identify Key Characteristics of Deportation Priority Groups
Immigration enforcement policies are used by the U.S. government to determine who will be a priority for deportation. Individuals and families with several key characteristics are deemed to be of higher priority for deportation than others. The key characteristics of individuals and families deemed to be of higher priority for deportation by the immigration enforcement policies are:
- A criminal record
- The individual’s immigration status
- Whether or not an individual poses a threat to the safety and security of other people in the country
This means that not only individuals with serious or even violent felonies will be targeted for deportation by the immigration enforcement policies but also individuals who entered the country illegally, and those who are members of gangs. More recently, individuals who entered the country on a visa and then overstayed that visa as well as those who have only been charged with misdemeanors have also been included in the definition of quien es prioridad para deportacion.
Don’t let ICE take you from your loved ones! Knowing your rights can help you greatly. The Vasquez Law Firm is here 24/7/365 to assist you with any immigration issue that requires immediate attention. Our emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
An example of how deportation priorities are applied to individual cases is through the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program of individuals assigned to the non-detained docket. Using technology, the individual is monitored for compliance with the individual’s conditions of release, allowing them to live in the community where alternatives to detention are most effective.
By learning how the U.S. government decides who gets to be deported and how it decides where to spend money on and how to prioritize various cases in the many layers of U.S. immigration, people of all backgrounds can be empowered to come to the U.S. and establish and then protect their lives here. Just knowing your rights can be key.
Provide Examples of Individuals in Priority Groups
Imagine being suddenly ripped from your loved ones after years of being a lawful permanent resident of this country due to a mistake you made years ago. Today, many undocumented immigrants with past mistakes such as drug possession or violent crimes are considered high priority for their deportation. That means a long-term lawful resident of this country such as Whitney who is stopped for a DUI is considered high priority for deportation from the country where he or she has lived for most of his or her life. Recently arrived undocumented immigrants who have entered the country without permission are picked up in subways, in department stores, and in their homes and are immediately placed into removal proceedings.
Undocumented immigrants with past mistakes in their lives can cause extreme hardship to their families and be torn apart from their loved ones while trying to rebuild their lives in this country. There is a case of a long-term legal resident of the U.S. who was deported to Mexico last summer after being a legal permanent resident for over twenty years. He had a past drug conviction and had built a life and raised a family in this country including U.S. citizen children. He would face extreme financial hardship as a result of his removal. Another example is of a man who recently entered the country as an illegal alien. He was captured shortly after entering the country and was put into removal proceedings and is currently fighting his removal in court.
At Vasquez Law Firm, we have years of experience defending the removal proceedings of families and individuals alike. Whether you are considered part of quienes son prioridad para deportacion or not, Vasquez Law Firm will treat you and your case with the respect and compassion that you deserve. We are a bilingual law firm that offers flexible payment plans as well as free initial consultations. We can assist families with removal proceedings and make sure that language is not a barrier to getting the legal services that you need.
Conclusion
Many individuals living in the U.S. illegally are worried about what the future holds for them. Knowing whether you are part of a group that is currently a priority for deportation can help you navigate through your circumstances and fight for your rights in order to achieve your future goals in the U.S. While individuals who are illegally present in the U.S. who have committed crimes are being deported in order to deal with issues facing the country such as national security, others that are here illegally but have not committed any crimes are also being deported.
Take a look back at how deportation priorities have changed and learn more about how Vasquez Law Firm can assist you and your family in understanding deportation priorities so you can better understand how immigration enforcement is carried out and learn of all of your rights and legal alternatives to deportation in this new time of evolving immigration policies by the current administration seeking to implement more humane immigration enforcement.
Knowing your rights and having good immigration lawyers on your side is key to protecting your family’s future. Vasquez Law Firm has extensive knowledge of current immigration laws and can help you sort through the issues to reach a positive solution. We are committed to serving our clients’ needs in English and Spanish, and we offer a variety of payment options. We even offer free initial consultations to discuss your case. Let us help you and your family have the future you deserve here in the U.S.
Don’t wait, take action today and let us help you and your loved ones achieve their future here in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the priority groups for deportation as defined by ICE?
The priority groups for deportation include individuals who pose national security threats, those apprehended at the border for illegal entry, and individuals with serious criminal offenses, even if they have since become law-abiding citizens.
How has the likelihood of deportation changed recently for individuals in ICE custody?
The likelihood of removal within 60 days of detention has dramatically increased, with 63% of individuals detained by ICE being removed from the country within that timeframe.
What has been the trend in ICE arrests and deportations in recent years?
There has been a significant increase in ICE arrests, leading to the deportation of individuals with no prior criminal history. The odds of removal for such individuals have doubled or tripled in many areas.
How do current immigration policies affect families of undocumented immigrants?
Immigration policies have become more complex and politically influenced, with past administrations varying in their focus on removing families. The current administration aims to implement more humane policies, prioritizing the removal of individuals who pose the greatest threats to national security or public safety.
What is the Biden administration's approach to immigration enforcement?
The Biden administration has directed ICE to focus on Priority 1 leads, targeting individuals who pose significant threats, while also recognizing that many removals occur for individuals who are not considered priorities.
What is the significance of understanding ICE's priority groups for removal?
Knowing the categories of individuals deemed priorities for removal can help undocumented immigrants understand their rights and the potential implications for their status in the U.S., enabling them to better defend their future.
List of Sources
- Define Priority Groups for Deportation
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics (https://ice.gov/statistics)
- Department of Homeland Security Priorities for 2026 - Stump & Associates (https://usvisagroup.com/department-of-homeland-security-priorities-for-2026)
- Ten Things We Know from the Latest ICE Detention Data (https://vera.org/publications/ten-things-we-know-from-the-latest-ice-detention-data-august-2026)
- A New Era of Immigration Enforcement Unfolds in the U.S. Interior and at the Border under Trump 2.0 (https://migrationpolicy.org/commentary/new-era-immigration-enforcement-unfolds-us-interior-and-border-under-trump-20)
- One Year of Immigration Enforcement Under the Second Trump Administration – Deportation Data Project (https://deportationdata.org/analysis/immigration-enforcement-first-year.html)
- Contextualize Priority Groups in Immigration Law
- New DHS Report Reveals Biden Administration’s Critical Enforcement Failures | FAIRUS.org (https://fairus.org/legislation/executive/new-dhs-report-reveals-biden-administrations-critical-enforcement-failures)
- ICE Didn’t Follow Federal Enforcement Priorities Set by Biden Administration - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/ice-enforcement-priorities)
- Comparing the Biden and Trump Deportation Records (https://migrationpolicy.org/journal/policy-beat/comparing-biden-and-trump-deportation-records)
- Immigration policy of the Biden administration - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policy_of_the_Biden_administration)
- Explore the Origins of Deportation Priority Groups
- Comparing the Biden and Trump Deportation Records (https://migrationpolicy.org/journal/policy-beat/comparing-biden-and-trump-deportation-records)
- The Price of Cruelty: How Trump’s Mass Deportation Agenda Endangers Us All (https://nilc.org/articles/the-price-of-cruelty-how-trumps-mass-deportation-agenda-endangers-us-all)
- Trump Administration’s Expansion of Fast-Track Deportation Powers Is Transforming Immigration Enforcement (https://migrationpolicy.org/journal/policy-beat/trump-administrations-expansion-fast-track-deportation-powers-transforming)
- The End of Immigration Enforcement Priorities Under the Trump Administration - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/immigration-enforcement-priorities-under-trump-administration)
- Identify Key Characteristics of Deportation Priority Groups
- Department of Homeland Security Priorities for 2026 - Stump & Associates (https://usvisagroup.com/department-of-homeland-security-priorities-for-2026)
- The End of Immigration Enforcement Priorities Under the Trump Administration - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/immigration-enforcement-priorities-under-trump-administration)
- Current Immigration Enforcement Priorities for ICE and DHS (https://krilaw.com/what-are-the-current-enforcement-priorities-for-ice-and-dhs)
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics (https://ice.gov/statistics)
- Trump Administration Lays Groundwork for Mass Deportation of Resettled Refugees | International Refugee Assistance Project (https://refugeerights.org/news-resources/trump-administration-lays-groundwork-for-mass-deportation-of-resettled-refugees)
- Provide Examples of Individuals in Priority Groups
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics (https://ice.gov/statistics)
- The Effects of Deportation on Families and Communities (https://communitypsychology.com/effects-of-deportation-on-families-communities)
- ICE’s August Arrests Break Record for Number of Illegal Aliens Arrested | Homeland Security (https://dhs.gov/news/2026/09/02/ices-august-arrests-break-record-number-illegal-aliens-arrested)
- Study Estimates the Impact of New Priority Enforcement Policies on Deportation Numbers (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/study-estimates-the-impact-of-new-priority-enforcement-policies-on-deportation-numbers)
