Immigration Restrictions Cause Enforcement Excesses

Jeffrey Miron

Recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota, marked by large-scale raids and civilian harm, are less a local controversy than a predictable product of US immigration institutions. When lawful entry is heavily restricted, enforcement becomes the policy margin. That margin is exercised by armed agents with wide discretion, weak accountability or legal recourse, and strong incentives to demonstrate “control” rather than minimize error. Minnesota is...