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ICE's Mission

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Mission: Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety. Vision: DHS’s premier law enforcement agency, mitigating transnational threats and safeguarding our nation, communities, lawful immigration, trade, travel, and financial systems.

Immigration Enforcement

Securing our nation's borders and safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system is a primary focus of ICE officers and agents throughout the country. Immigration enforcement is the largest single area of responsibility for ERO and is a critical component of the overall safety, security, and well-being of our nation.

While ERO has significant assets near the border, the majority of its immigration enforcement mission takes place in the interior of the country. To accomplish ICE's important immigration enforcement objectives, ERO coordinates closely with law enforcement partners within the U.S. and around the world. One of the most notable law enforcement coordination and partnership efforts within ERO involves the biometric and biographic identification of priority undocumented individuals who are incarcerated within federal, state, and local prisons and jails.

ERO works with law enforcement partners in the shared responsibility for ensuring the safety of our communities through a variety resources and programs. The 287(g) program enables a state or local law enforcement entity to receive delegated authority, training, and technology resources for immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions. ICE's Law Enforcement Support Center coordinates response and enforcement actions with law enforcement partners using biometrics to identify foreign-born individuals arrested for criminal offenses.

ERO also enhances the impact of multi-agency task forces through its administrative authority to arrest individuals deemed a threat to public safety on their unlawful immigration status without additional criminal charges. Finally, leveraging resources available through foreign law enforcement partners including INTERPOL and the ICE Attaché corps, ERO develops investigative leads and provides support in locating and arresting foreign nationals wanted for crimes committed abroad who are now at-large in the U.S.

Browse through the "Immigration Enforcement" drop-down menu to learn more.

Combating Transnational Crime

As one of the country's premier federal law enforcement agencies, ICE is dedicated to detecting and dismantling transnational criminal networks that target the American people and threaten our industries, organizations and financial systems. Combating cross-border criminal activity is the largest single area of responsibility of HSI, and is a critical component of the overall safety, security, and well-being of our nation.

HSI investigates the criminal enterprises that engage in a broad range of illicit activity including narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, gang violence, money laundering and other financial crimes, intellectual property theft, and customs fraud. HSI also investigates a broad range of cybercrime, including child exploitation in the commitment to securing both physical and virtual borders.

HSI is committed to identifying and disrupting the movement of illicit proceeds generated by these criminal organizations and activities in an effort to safeguard our nation's trade, travel and financial systems.

Our workforce maintains effective relationships throughout the global law enforcement community and works closely with our domestic and international partners at every level to ensure the safety of all Americans.

HSI is the largest contributor to the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Forces and employs its unique and exclusive immigration and trade-based authorities to disrupt terrorist networks and prevent attacks against the homeland. This work includes HSI initiating investigations into transnational criminal organizations and subjects of national security concern or interest who are involved in narcotics smuggling, human trafficking and smuggling, and immigration document and benefit fraud, as well as investigating trade-based money laundering and intellectual property crimes used to finance or support terrorists or their activities. HSI is also responsible for preventing terrorist groups, illicit procurement networks, and hostile nations from acquiring U.S. military hardware, sensitive technical data, dual-use technology, and other materials used to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Browse through the Investigations categories under the “Combatting Transnational Crime” drop-down menu to learn more.

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Regions & Countries

Key facts about u.s. immigration policies and biden’s proposed changes.

Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration has acted on a number of fronts to reverse Trump-era restrictions on immigration to the United States. The steps include plans to boost refugee admissions , preserving deportation relief for unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and not enforcing the “ public charge ” rule that denies green cards to immigrants who might use public benefits like Medicaid.

Biden has also lifted restrictions established early in the coronavirus pandemic that drastically reduced the number of visas issued to immigrants. The number of people who received a green card declined from about 240,000 in the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year (January to March) to about 79,000 in the third quarter (April to June). By comparison, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, nearly 266,000 people received a green card.

Biden’s biggest immigration proposal to date would allow more new immigrants into the U.S. while giving millions of unauthorized immigrants who are already in the country a pathway to legal status. The expansive legislation would create an eight-year path to citizenship for the nation’s estimated 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants , update the existing family-based immigration system, revise employment-based visa rules and increase the number of diversity visas . By contrast, President Donald Trump’s administration sought to restrict legal immigration in a variety of ways, including through legislation that would have overhauled the nation’s legal immigration system by sharply reducing family-based immigration.

The Biden administration has proposed legislation that would create new ways for immigrants to legally enter the United States. The bill would also create a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants living in the country.

To better understand the existing U.S. immigration system, we analyzed the most recent data available on federal immigration programs. This includes admission categories for green card recipients and the types of temporary employment visas available to immigrant workers. We also examined temporary permissions granted to some immigrants to live and work in the country through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status programs.

This analysis relies on data from various sources within the U.S. government, including the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State, Federal Register announcements and public statements from the White House.

The Senate is considering several immigration provisions in a spending bill, the Build Back Better Act , that the House passed in November 2021. While passage of the bill is uncertain – as is the inclusion of immigration reforms in the bill’s final version – the legislation would make about 7 million unauthorized immigrants eligible to apply for protection from deportation, work permits and driver’s licenses.

Amid a record number of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, Biden reinstated in December 2021 a Trump-era policy that requires those who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border and seek asylum to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed. Biden had earlier ended the Migration Protection Protocols , or “Remain in Mexico” policy, and then restarted it after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lawsuit by Texas and Missouri that challenged the program’s closure. Asylum seekers do not receive a legal status that allows them to live and work in the U.S. until the claim is approved.

Overall, more than 35 million lawful immigrants live in the U.S.; most are American citizens. Many live and work in the country after being granted lawful permanent residence, while others receive temporary visas available to students and workers. In addition, roughly 1 million unauthorized immigrants have temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status programs.

Here are key details about existing U.S. immigration programs, as well as Biden’s proposed changes to them:

Family-based immigration

In fiscal 2019, nearly 710,000 people received lawful permanent residence in the U.S. through family sponsorship. The program allows someone to receive a green card if they already have a spouse, child, sibling or parent living in the country with U.S. citizenship or, in some cases, a green card. Immigrants from countries with large numbers of applicants often wait for years to receive a green card because a single country can account for no more than 7% of all green cards issued annually.

Biden’s proposal would expand access to family-based green cards in a variety of ways, such as by increasing per-country caps and clearing application backlogs. Today, family-based immigration – referred to by some as “ chain migration ” – is the most common way people gain green cards, in recent years accounting for about two-thirds of the more than 1 million people who receive green cards annually.

Refugee admissions

The U.S. admitted only 11,411 refugees in fiscal year 2021, the lowest number since Congress passed the 1980 Refugee Act for those fleeing persecution in their home countries. The low number of admissions came even after the Biden administration raised the maximum number of refugees the nation could admit to 62,500 in fiscal 2021 . Biden has increased the refugee cap to 125,000 for fiscal 2022, which started on Oct. 1, 2021.

The low number of admissions in recent years is due in part to the ongoing pandemic. The U.S. admitted only about 12,000 refugees in fiscal 2020 after the country suspended admissions during the coronavirus outbreak . This was down from nearly 54,000 in fiscal 2017 and far below the nearly 85,000 refugees admitted in fiscal 2016, the last full fiscal year of the Obama administration.

The recent decline in refugee admissions also reflects policy decisions made by the Trump administration before the pandemic. Trump capped refugee admissions in fiscal 2020 at 18,000 , the lowest total since Congress created the modern refugee program in 1980.

Employment-based green cards

In fiscal 2019, the U.S. government awarded more than 139,000 employment-based green cards to foreign workers and their families. The Biden administration’s proposed legislation could boost the number of employment-based green cards, which are capped at about 140,000 per year . The proposal would allow the use of unused visa slots from previous years and allow spouses and children of employment-based visa holders to receive green cards without counting them against the annual cap. These measures could help clear the large backlog of applicants. The proposed legislation also would eliminate the per-country cap that prevents immigrants from any single country to account for more than 7% of green cards issued each year.

Diversity visas

Each year, about 50,000 people receive green cards through the U.S. diversity visa program , also known as the visa lottery. Since the program began in 1995, more than 1 million immigrants have received green cards through the lottery, which seeks to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by granting visas to underrepresented nations. Citizens of countries with the most legal immigrant arrivals in recent years – such as Mexico, Canada, China and India – are not eligible to apply.

The Biden administration has proposed legislation to increase the annual total to 80,000 diversity visas. Trump had sought to eliminate the program .

In fiscal 2019, more than 188,000 high-skilled foreign workers received H-1B visas . H-1B visas accounted for 22% of all temporary visas for employment issued in 2019. This trailed only the H-2A visa for agricultural workers, which accounted for nearly a quarter (24%) of temporary visas. In all, nearly 2 million H-1B visas were issued from fiscal years 2007 to 2019.

The Biden administration is expected to review policies that led to increased denial rate s of H-1B visa applications under the Trump administration. In addition, Biden has delayed implementing a rule put in place by Trump that sought to prioritize the H-1B visa selection process based on wages, which would have raised the wages of H-1B recipients overall. Biden also proposed legislation to provide permanent work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders. By contrast, the Trump administration had sought to restrict these permits. The Trump administration also created an electronic registration system that led to a record number of applicants for fiscal 2021.

Temporary permissions

A relatively small number of unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. under unusual circumstances have received temporary legal permission to stay in the country. One key distinction for this group of immigrants is that, despite having received permission to live in the U.S., most don’t have a path to gain lawful permanent residence. The following two programs are examples of this:

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

About 636,000 unauthorized immigrants had temporary work permits and protection from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, as of Dec. 31, 2020. One of Biden’s first actions as president was to direct the federal government to take steps to preserve the program , which Trump had tried to end before the Supreme Court allowed it to remain in place . DACA recipients, sometimes called “Dreamers,” would be among the undocumented immigrants to have a path to U.S. citizenship under Biden’s immigration bill. Senators have also proposed separate legislation that would do the same.

Temporary Protected Status

Overall, it is estimated that more than 700,000 immigrants from 12 countries currently have or are eligible for a reprieve from deportation under Temporary Protected Status, or TPS , a federal program that gives time-limited permission for some immigrants from certain countries to work and live in the U.S. The program covers those who fled designated nations because of war, hurricanes, earthquakes or other extraordinary conditions that could make it dangerous for them to live there.

The estimated total number of immigrants is based on those currently registered, in addition to those estimated to be eligible from Myanmar – also called Burma – and Venezuela.

Immigrants from Venezuela and Myanmar are newly eligible for TPS under changes made after Biden took office in January 2021 by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the program. The government must periodically renew TPS benefits or they will expire. The department extended benefits into 2022 and beyond for eligible immigrants from nine nations: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. In addition, the Biden administration expanded eligibility for immigrants from Haiti based on recent turmoil.

Biden and congressional Democrats have proposed granting citizenship to certain immigrants who receive TPS benefits. Under Biden’s large immigration bill, TPS recipients who meet certain conditions could apply immediately for green cards that let them become lawful permanent residents. The proposal would allow TPS holders who meet certain conditions to apply for citizenship three years after receiving a green card, which is two years earlier than usual for green-card holders. By contrast, the Trump administration had sought to end TPS for nearly all beneficiaries, but was blocked from doing so by a series of lawsuits.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published March 22, 2021.

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• Mar 30, 2023

What You Need to Know to Write a Business Plan for U.S. Immigration

Hey there, aspiring entrepreneurs and globe-trotters! As a startup expert and professional business plan writer, I've helped numerous individuals navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration by crafting compelling and comprehensive business plans. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of writing a business plan specifically tailored for U.S. immigration purposes. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

Key Highlights:

Understand the Purpose of Your Business Plan

Know the u.s. immigration requirements, craft a killer executive summary, describe your business and its structure, outline your market analysis, detail your marketing and sales strategy, explain your operations and management structure, showcase your team's expertise, develop a robust financial plan, address immigration-specific requirements, prepare a compelling appendix, edit, revise, and polish, embrace the journey.

First and foremost, your business plan is more than just a document for immigration purposes—it's your company's roadmap to success. A well-thought-out business plan demonstrates your commitment to your venture and outlines your vision, goals, and strategies for achieving them. U.S. immigration officers will scrutinize your plan, looking for a clear vision, attainable objectives, and a solid plan of action. Make sure your business plan showcases your passion and dedication to your business.

Before you start writing your business plan, familiarize yourself with the specific requirements for the U.S. immigration category you're applying for. Some of the most common categories include the E-2 Treaty Investor visa, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and the L-1 Intracompany Transferee visa. Each has its own eligibility criteria and conditions. Research the requirements of your chosen category to ensure your business plan addresses them.

Your executive summary is like the movie trailer for your business plan—it should be engaging, informative, and leave your audience wanting more. An effective executive summary should be concise, typically one to two pages, and provide an overview of your business, its goals, and how you plan to achieve them. It's the first thing immigration officers will read, so make sure it's impactful and leaves a lasting impression.

In this section, you'll provide detailed information about your business, including:

Business name, address, and contact information

Legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation)

Ownership information

Description of your products or services

Business history, if applicable

Current business status (e.g., startup, existing business, or expansion)

Keep it concise and informative, while still showing your passion for your business.

A solid market analysis demonstrates that you've done your homework and understand the U.S. market, competitors, and target customers. To create a compelling market analysis, be sure to:

Define your target market and customer segments

Analyze your competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and your competitive advantages

Discuss market trends and how your business will capitalize on them

Provide data on your target market's size, demographics, and growth potential

Your marketing and sales strategy should show how you'll attract customers, make sales, and grow your business in the U.S. market. Include information on:

Your pricing strategy

Distribution channels

Advertising and promotion methods

Sales projections

Customer retention strategies

Online marketing efforts, including social media and content marketing

Here, you'll outline the day-to-day operations of your business and its management structure, covering:

Key personnel, their qualifications, and roles

Employee training and development programs

Facilities and equipment

Inventory management

Quality control measures

Supplier relationships

Immigration officers want to know that your team has the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the U.S. market . Showcase your team's expertise, including:

Backgrounds and qualifications of your founders and key team members

Relevant industry experience

Past successes and lessons learned from failures

How your team's skills complement each other and contribute to your business's success in the U.S.

A strong financial plan is critical for U.S. immigration purposes. You'll need to provide financial projections, including:

Profit and Loss statements (for at least three years)

Cash flow projections (for at least three years)

Balance sheets (for at least three years)

Breakeven analysis

A list of assumptions and explanations for your financial projections

If you're not a numbers person, consider enlisting the help of an accountant or financial advisor to ensure accuracy and credibility.

Depending on the immigration category you're applying for, you may need to address specific requirements in your business plan. For example:

E-2 visa: Demonstrate that your investment is substantial, your business is not marginal, and you have the funds to support yourself and your family.

EB-5 visa: Show that your investment will create at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers within two years.

L-1 visa: Prove that your business has a qualifying relationship with your current employer outside the U.S., and you will hold a managerial or executive role.

The appendix is your opportunity to provide additional information that supports your business plan. This might include:

Resumes of key personnel

Letters of intent from suppliers or customers

Licenses, permits, or patents

Detailed market research data

Product specifications or designs

Marketing materials

Organize your appendix so that it's easy for immigration officers to find and review the supporting documents.

A well-written business plan should be clear, concise, and free of errors. Take the time to edit and revise your plan, ensuring that it's easy to read and understand. Don't be afraid to seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, or even potential customers to help refine your plan.

Remember that your business plan is a living document that should evolve as your business grows and changes. Regularly review and update your plan to ensure it remains accurate and relevant.

Writing a business plan for U.S. immigration can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It forces you to think critically about your business, its goals, and its strategies. Embrace the process and enjoy the journey. After all, as Tim Ferris would say, "Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

Writing a business plan for U.S. immigration may seem daunting, but with the right approach and attention to detail, you can create a persuasive and informative plan that will impress immigration officers. Keep in mind the specific requirements of the immigration category you're applying for, and make sure your plan addresses them.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to successfully navigating the U.S. immigration process and making your entrepreneurial dreams a reality. So, what are you waiting for? Start writing, and go conquer the world!

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L-1 & E-2 Visas: The Need of a Immigration Business Plan

When navigating the complexities of L-1 and E-2 visa applications, a tailored immigration business plan is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Such a plan goes beyond the scope of traditional business plans by focusing on specific visa requirements and demonstrating your venture’s potential contribution to the U.S. economy. Below, we go into each critical component of a successful immigration business plan, offering insights and guidance to bolster your application.

1. Comprehensive Business Overview

Objective: This section aims to introduce your business to immigration officials comprehensively and concisely. It should lay out the foundation of your business, explaining what it does, its target market, and its unique value proposition.

Details to Include:

• Nature of the Business: Explain whether it’s a service, manufacturing, or product-oriented venture and the industry it operates within.
• Business Goals and Objectives: Outline what your business aims to achieve in the short and long term.
• Unique Selling Proposition: Highlight what sets your business apart from competitors in the same market.

2. Detailed Proof of Investment

Objective: To demonstrate your financial commitment and the viability of your business through a detailed financial plan.

• Capital Investment: Provide specifics on the amount of capital invested in the business and the sources of this capital.
• Operational Costs: Break down the operational expenses, including rent, payroll, utilities, and marketing.
• Financial Projections: A five-year financial forecast showing projected revenue, expenses, and profitability.

3. Compliance with Business Requirements

Objective: Showcase your business’s adherence to all relevant U.S. laws, regulations, and standards.

• Licenses and Permits: List all the necessary operational licenses and permits you have acquired or are acquiring.
• Regulatory Compliance: Explain how your business complies with relevant local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental, health, and safety standards.

4. Job Creation and Employment Outlook

Objective: Illustrate your business’s potential to contribute positively to the U.S. labor market.

• Organizational Structure: Present an organizational chart detailing current and future positions.
• Hiring Timeline: Offer a timeline for new hires, including the types of positions and the expected impact on business growth.
• Job Descriptions: Provide detailed descriptions for each role, emphasizing the qualifications and responsibilities.

5. Establishment of Physical Premises

Objective: Demonstrate the suitability of your U.S. business premises for operational needs.

• Location Details: Describe the location of your business, including advantages related to logistics, market access, or clientele.
• Lease or Purchase Agreements: Present evidence of ownership or lease agreements for the property.
• Facility Readiness: Discuss any modifications or preparations to ensure the facility meets your business needs.

6. In-depth Market Analysis and Strategy

Objective: To affirm your business’s viability and competitive edge within the U.S. market.

• Market Analysis: Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to evaluate market conditions, competition, and potential challenges.
• Marketing Strategy: Outline your approach to capturing your target market, including digital marketing, advertising, and sales strategies.
• Long-term Sustainability: Discuss how your business plans to adapt and grow over time, ensuring long-term success.

7. Demonstrating Ability to Develop and Direct

Objective: Prove your capability to lead and grow your business effectively.

• Background and Experience: Detail your educational background, relevant work experience, and any entrepreneurial ventures, highlighting how these contribute to your ability to manage the business.
• Leadership Qualities: Share examples of leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and any recognitions or awards.
• Vision for the Business: Convey your strategic vision for growth and how you plan to achieve it.

A detailed and well-structured immigration business plan is pivotal to your L-1 or E-2 visa application. It demonstrates your commitment and capability to operate a successful business in the U.S. and how your venture will positively impact the economy. By thoroughly addressing each of these components, your business plan will stand as a robust testament to the viability and value of your business proposition, significantly enhancing the likelihood of visa approval. We recommend working with a professional business plan writer with specific expertise in immigration business plans.

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You may have questions regarding U.S. immigration laws and visas. We invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews ! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.

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Supreme Court revives Biden immigration enforcement plan

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday breathed new life into a Biden administration   policy that will set immigration enforcement priorities by focusing on public safety threats.

The justices, in a 8-1 vote, overturned a Texas-based federal judge’s ruling in June of last year that blocked the policy nationwide. It had previously been in effect for less than a year.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas welcomed the decision, saying the policy allows immigration officers "to focus limited resources and enforcement actions on those who pose a threat to our national security, public safety and border security."

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the majority that the challengers did not have legal standing to sue over the plan, which focused on the longstanding discretion that federal officials have in enforcing laws.

Kavanaugh wrote that the lawsuit brought by Texas and Louisiana was "extraordinarily unusual," seeking to "order the executive branch to alter its arrest policies so as to make more arrests."

But federal courts do not typically hear such cases, he added.

Kavanaugh said "other forums remain open" for the states to press their concerns, pointing to actions that can be taken by Congress.

"We do not opine on whether any such actions are appropriate in this instance," he added.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito was the sole dissenter, saying that the court had concluded "the only limit on the power of a president to disobey a law like the important provision at issue is Congress' power to employ the weapons of inter-branch warfare."

The ruling was welcomed by immigrant rights advocates.

"The court’s decision ends a period of confusing limbo in which many people — some of whom have lived here for years, have families here, and who are integral to their communities — have suffered from uncertainty about what the Department of Homeland Security could or would do in their cases," said Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project.

Kate Melloy Goettel, legal director at the American Immigration Council, said the justices made it clear that "courts should not be in the business of directing law enforcement’s decision-making and should give pause to states contemplating using the courts to drive a political strategy."

Announced in September 2021, President Joe Biden’s plan was a shift away from the hard-line enforcement approach Donald Trump took as president. The Biden administration argued that with an estimated 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the government has to prioritize certain cases because it does not have the resources to detain and deport all of them.

Texas and Louisiana immediately challenged the plan in court, arguing that federal immigration law requires that certain illegal immigrants — including those convicted of aggravated felonies, human trafficking and some gun crimes — must be detained after they are released from criminal custody. Biden’s policy, which required an individual assessment of whether an immigrant is a threat to public safety or national security while the government initiates the deportation process, would defy that requirement, the states say.

Biden administration lawyers argued that the president has broad discretion to set enforcement priorities.

In the ruling blocking the policy, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee, said Texas had standing because it could show that immigrants who should have been detained were in Texas and in some cases had committed crimes.

Tipton found both that the policy was unlawful and that the government failed to follow the correct procedure in implementing it.

In a statement Friday, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster in Texas said he was "extremely disappointed" in the Supreme Court's decision.

"The court ruled that Texas did not have standing to challenge the federal government’s harmful 'prioritization guidelines' that protected certain classes of criminal aliens from arrest, and therefore the court failed to consider the merits of the case," Webster said in a statement.

"The state of Texas and our citizens are disproportionately affected by the Biden Administration’s unlawful immigration policies, and Texas has played a key role in forcing accountability through the court system," he added.

Republicans have frequently accused Biden of a lax approach to enforcement and border security, which they argue have led to a rise in crime and an increase in the number of people entering the U.S. illegally.

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 in July 2022 to reject the Biden administration’s request to immediately restore the policy but agreed to take up the government's appeal.

Friday's ruling was one of two on immigration-related issues, both of which the Biden administration won. The court also upheld a federal law that criminalizes inducing illegal immigration .

Lawrence Hurley covers the Supreme Court for NBC News.

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Beyond Borders

The Immigrant Entrepreneurs’ Guide to Writing a Business Plan in the U.S.

Immigration & Living Abroad

Last updated on October 10th, 2023 at 11:24 pm

Writing a business plan is an important step for an entrepreneur who wants to launch a company of any size. If you dream of opening a business in the U.S. or Canada, a solid business plan can help you secure funding and prepare for the future.

Many immigrants open businesses in their new countries. Dru Ann B. is a Remitly customer who owns a small business that supports her family in Canada and back home in Jamaica. She says that a strong business plan made a huge difference for her. She recommends getting assistance from someone who’s written one before, saying, “a little direction or guidance from someone else goes a long way.”

Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know.

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that maps out your vision for your business. It establishes your business objectives and then describes how you will achieve them.

Why is a business plan important?

Even if you have all the capital you need to start your business, a business plan can increase your chances of success. That’s because it clarifies your goals and timeline, plus can help you plan for issues that may arise.

Business plans allow you to:

• Establish clear company goals;
• Build a brand vision and create a compelling company description to market your business;
• Identify potential weaknesses and challenges ahead of time;
• Become familiar with current market conditions and your competitors; and
• Predict your income, costs, and budget needs.

The process of writing a business plan can help you put your best foot forward. Dru Anne B. notes that through your market research, you might discover that you “need to adjust your model.” That’s a good thing, she explains, because it means refining your idea before you actually invest.

Do you need a business plan to start an immigrant-owned business?

Any entrepreneur who wants to start a business in the U.S. can benefit from a business plan.

As an immigrant entrepreneur, a business plan may help you:

• Apply for grants aimed at immigrant-owned businesses;
• Apply for business loans through U.S. banks; and
• Seek private investors for startup capital.

What are the most common business plan formats?

Business plans come in two formats: long (traditional) and short (lean).

• Traditional business plans are long-form documents that consist of paragraphs and may also include tables and charts. They usually take longer to produce and edit, but some lenders only accept these types of plans.
• Lean business plans present information primarily through bulleted lists, tables, and charts. They are typically easier and faster to write. Prospective investors or lenders may ask you for additional information if you submit a lean business plan.

How do you write a traditional business plan?

A traditional business plan usually has nine sections : executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, service or product line, marketing and sales, funding request, financial projections, and the appendix.

Executive summary

An executive summary provides a quick overview of your company. It lets the reader know what to expect from the rest of the document.

The executive summary includes:

• A mission statement that outlines the purpose of your company;
• An introduction to your product or service;
• Basic facts about your leadership team and employees; and
• The location of your company and where you work.

If you’ll be using your business plan to find funding, include a quick summary of financial information and growth plans in this section too.

Company description

The company description provides details about your business offerings.

Some things to include are:

• Who your customers are (who will use or purchase your product or service)
• What problems your product or service solves or what needs it fulfills
• Why your business can uniquely meet that need or solve that problem

Imagine that someone has asked you “Why does your business exist?” and “Why should I choose your business?”

These questions will help you describe the value of your new venture.

Market analysis

The market analysis section requires research. Start by identifying your key competitors.

Once you’ve found them, learn the following about their businesses:

• What do they charge for their products or services?
• How do they market their business?
• What are their strengths and areas of opportunity in this field?
• What are the ways that you can provide a better customer experience?

After you finish conducting your research, describe your findings in 1–2 paragraphs in your business plan.

Organization and management

This section describes how you will structure your business and what specific people or general roles you’ll have at your company.

Include the following:

• Business structure: Are you a sole proprietor? Will you establish a C or S corporation? Is your business a partnership or a limited liability corporation (LLC)? In addition to identifying the type of structure, explain why it works for your company. If you haven’t chosen a business structure yet, a business attorney or certified public accountant (CPA) can give you advice on which structure to choose.
• Basic organization chart: Provide an outline of the people who will hold management positions at your company. If you have already hired your management team, detail the key qualifications and skills that they bring to your business. You may also want to attach their resumes.

Service or product line

This section brings your product or service to life and allows the reader to thoroughly understand what you will be providing to your customers.

• Benefits of your product or service: Why will people buy it or use it? What will they love about it?
• Life cycle of your product or service: How often will people buy or use your product or service?
• Intellectual property information: Are you filing for a copyright or patent?
• Research and development: If you have conducted research and development, provide detailed information about it. Remember to include any pictures of your product as well.

Marketing and sales

Unlike the other sections of a business plan, the marketing and sales section has no set rules for writing. This section explains how you will tell customers about your company and encourage them to buy from you or use your service.

You may consider mentioning whether you plan to advertise with:

• Print media like newspapers
• Television commercials and segments
• Radio commercials and segments
• Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok
• Direct mail
• Email marketing
• Cross-promotions with other businesses

If you plan to hire a firm to handle your marketing, then make sure to mention that in this section too. Add the firm’s name and discuss the services they will provide.

Funding request

In this section, you’ll let investors, financial institutions, or grants know how much funding you need to get your company off the ground.

Follow these steps when writing this part of your plan:

• State how much money you need to launch and operate your business for the first five years.
• Detail how you arrived at this figure.
• Identify any existing capital that you already have and its source(s).
• Outline the terms you’re looking for if you’re borrowing money.
• State what share of your company you are willing to give in exchange for an investment if you’re providing equity.
• Explain, in detail, how you will use the equity or borrowed funding. Will it pay salaries? Purchase equipment? Cover expenses until you begin to make profits?
• Add how you will pay off the debt or ensure a return on investment.

Financial projections

Providing realistic forecasts about how your company will perform is a compelling part of any business plan.

In this section, include:

• Income statements
• Balance sheets
• Cash flow statements
• Capital budgets

Begin with quarterly or monthly projections for the first year, and then make annual projections for the next four years. If you’re uncertain how to produce these documents, a CPA who specializes in startups can help you plan your forecasts.

This section is for any additional information and can include:

• Personal credit history
• Résumé for yourself and other key people in your business
• Letters of reference
• Other legal documents

The items in an appendix are labeled with a letter. For example, your personal credit history can have the header “Appendix A” and a letter of reference from a former employer can be “Appendix B.”

A few more tips

A business plan includes all the steps outlined above. Here are a few more tips to make your business plan stand out:

• Take a step-by-step approach. 
• Highlight how many jobs your business will create. 
• Hire a ghostwriter or proofreader. 
• Ask a friend who isn’t familiar with your industry or product to read it over.

Your business plan won’t just help you launch your new company. It also serves as your roadmap for promoting and growing your small business after the launch. An up-to-date business plan can also make it easier to secure additional funding, purchase new equipment, or expand your offerings in the future.

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Business Plan Development

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A USCIS-compliant business plan serves as the foundation for your E-2, L-1A, EB-5 or E-2 visa application

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Business plans for immigration, seeking an e-2, l-1a, eb-5, or eb-2 niw visa our immigration business plans help you navigate the complexities of the investment visa process with a business plan that stands up to scrutiny..

Your Key to Visa Success

Streamline your visa process with a business plan that impresses consular officials, at masterplans, we are skilled in developing business plans that engages uscis and consular authorities. .

Navigating the investor visa application process requires a robust business plan – one that clearly delineates your venture's growth prospects, job-creating potential, and long-term viability. Our visa-focused business plans are meticulously crafted to meet the specific requirements of entrepreneurship visas – guaranteed.

“For years I’ve been insisting my clients use Masterplans, and I haven’t had a single visa denied with their plans – NOT ONE.

They’re first class, always”.

Sara Rama, ESQ., LL.M Federal Immigration Attorney

Why Immigration Attorneys & Entrepreneurs Trust Masterplans

With over 18k+ business plans crafted across diverse industries, here's why savvy entrepreneurs consistently choose to partner with us when seeking an investor visa..

Experience & Expertise

Having successfully executed thousands of L1-A, E-2, EB-5, and EB-2 NIW projects, choosing Masterplans equips you with over two decades of unparalleled expertise in the specialized field of immigration-focused business plan development.

Award-Winning Excellence

Our reputation as an award-winning firm, including being named a “Top 5 Business Plan Writer” by EB-5 Investors Magazine for the last five years and counting, is founded on an unwavering commitment to quality and client satisfaction. 

Proven Track Record

Our approach is grounded in enterprise-level research and analysis, like IBISWorld, Esri, and Statista to ensure that your business plan transcends mere aspiration. This precision is why leading immigration attorneys exclusively refer their clients to us for writing their business plans.

Precision. Clarity. Comfidence.

Navigate complex immigration requirements confidently, we turn complexity into clarity, saving you time and headaches..

For entrepreneurs pursuing various visa categories such as E-2, L-1-A, EB-5, or EB-2 NIW, a USCIS-compliant business plan is written specifically to meet the demands of immigration authorities.

Our tried and true business planning process enables us to articulate your unique business model — be it an existing business aiming for U.S. expansion or a completely new enterprise — and translate it into a comprehensive, clear, and comprehensible business plan that meets the mandates of immigration authorities.

A professionally drafted business plan empowers you in the visa application process. With a business plan from Masterplans, you can approach immigration authorities with confidence, knowing that your plan meets all USCIS or consular requirements.

Download Sample Business Plans ›

Key Sections of a Business Plan for Immigration

Your business plan is structured so government officals can easily find what they need, while ensuring a cohesive, consistent, and comprehensive overview of your venture..

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary serves as a targeted overview tailored to the specific criteria that immigration officials seek, depending on the visa type. While offering a concise snapshot of your venture, it also includes brief summaries of each subsequent section in the plan. Additionally, it highlights the location, ownership structure, and financial performance, ensuring that officials not only understand the venture's potential and viability but are also inclined to explore the plan further.

Company Overview

Consular offices necessitate a thorough understanding of your business to evaluate its suitability for the visa in question. This involves  showcasing the unique value proposition and establishing why a presence in the U.S. aligns with your growth strategy. The business description will precisely outline the products or services offered, describe the operational framework, and elucidate the revenue model. If applicable, the company description will also detail the interaction between the U.S. and foreign entities. 

Market Analysis

To secure your visa, it's vital to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of industry dynamics. Masterplans employs industry-leading market research tools , including Statista, IBISWorld, and Esri's Business Analyst, to  to offer an in-depth market and competitor analysis. This includes a localized market analysis when relevant, pinpointing the specific needs and opportunities within your target area. Additionally, our competitor analysis delves into your competitive advantage, outlining how your business differentiates itself in the marketplace. 

Strategy & Implementation

In the Strategy and Implementation Summary, Masterplans zeroes in on key short and long-term objectives designed to grow your company's presence in the U.S. By crafting a tailored marketing strategy that identifies effective channels for your industry, we outline how your business will attract customers and provide actionable steps and tactics to position your business for competitive advantage in the U.S. market.

Management Team

A successful immigration business plan emphasizes the skills, qualifications, and experience of the visa applicant, whether launching a new enterprise in the U.S. or relocating to manage an existing one. Our management summary details job roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure, often through an organizational chart chart, ensuring immigration authorities grasp the applicant's suitability and managerial oversight for the venture.

Financial Projections

For every immigration business plan, Masterplans creates a detailed five-year financial projection , that includes an income statement, cash flow statement , and balance sheet, to demonstrate the viability of your business and its capacity for job creation. We provide a line-item breakdown of the investment amount, its allocation, and the ownership structure among investors, offering a comprehensive financial picture that aligns with immigration requirements.

“For nearly a decade, Masterplans has been a trusted provider on complex and more conventional cases alike.

No matter what the visa is, their team has consistently delivered complete, cost-effective plans that contribute to success.”.

Ryan Kosobucki Managing Partner, Kosobucki & Tessier PLLC

Trusted by Top attorneys

More than a business plan, a tailored immigration strategy, the key to visa approval lies in addressing the unique criteria for each visa type..

• For an E-2 visa, the focus is on demonstrating an initial investment and ensuring the business becomes non-marginal
• In the case of the L1-A visa, it's crucial to show that the beneficiary is highly qualified and serving in a managerial or executive role essential for smooth U.S. expansion
• For EB-5 applicants seeking a green card, the emphasis is on making a significant investment, often in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), that will create well-paying American jobs
• For the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), the key is to articulate the unique skills and experience of the applicant in a way that aligns with the national interest

We're experts in meeting consular expectations, even supporting clients through any Request for Evidence (RFE) at no extra cost. Trusted by over 300 immigration attorneys, many regularly refer clients to us, affirming the quality of our work.

Immigration Attorney Partners ›

“i know my clients will have a positive experience with masterplans.  , their business plans are professional, well-researched, and prepared quickly. they’ve always been a joy to work with.”.

Belma Demirovic Chinchoy Partner, Iyer Demirovic Chinchoy LLP

Crafted by Experts

Willam dean, vp of immigration.

William Dean directs our team of business plan writers, and market research and finance experts, to craft filing-ready business plans for clients referred by over 300 law offices. Specializing in client material and RFE reviews, he has helped applicants secure E-2, L-1A, EB-2, and EB-5 visas. He has overseen the creation of nearly 2,500 visa business plans and is a frequent speaker at immigration conferences and on podcasts.

Meet The Team ›

Business plans for immigration faqs,  we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide clarity on our service and process. if you don't find the answer to your specific question here, please don't hesitate to contact us ., how is the cost of a business plan for immigration determined.

Our pricing is influenced by several factors including visa type, industry of operation, plan length and scope, variables like multiple physical locations, and your timeframe.

Immigrations business plans generally range from $2,000 to $9,000, based on complexity and the team members required. This fee covers an in-depth discovery process, detailed research, professional writing and editing, and advanced financial modeling. We are happy to provide a complete scope of work for your project, free of charge, in as little as 24 hours. Simply contact us to set up an appointment.

For more information about what is included in our engagements, please see our pricing page .

How many pages is a filing-ready business plan?

The ideal length of an immigration business plan is precisely as long as it needs to be, and not a page more. While most immigration business plans fall within the 40-60 page range, with around 15 pages dedicated to financial statements, it's essential to remember that quality isn't determined by page count. Evaluating a business plan's merit based solely on its length misses the true value and depth of its content. 

You can see some examples of our immigration business plans here .

How long will my business plan project take?

Our projects kick off within 24 hours of receiving payment. From there, the timeline largely depends on your pace and preferences. Some clients prefer a more deliberate and procedural approach, while others are working against tight deadlines. Typically, we can deliver a complete first draft of the business plan within two weeks. We offer both 45-day and 90-day engagement timelines, ensuring ample time to integrate your feedback and steer the direction of the project.

You can learn more about our process and timeline here.

Do you guarantee consular approval?

Masterplans cannot guarantee approval of your visa application, as there are far too many variables outside of our control.

However, we guarantee that your business plan will meet all USCIS and consular requirements, and any changes directed by government authorities via an RFE are fully supported at no additional charge.

Do I need an attorney?

You do not necessarily need an attorney to engage our services at Masterplans; however, we strongly recommend consulting with a legal expert when navigating the immigration investor visa process.

An attorney specializing in immigration law brings a wealth of expertise and experience that can be invaluable in ensuring a successful visa application. They are well-versed in the nuances of immigration law and can provide tailored advice to meet the specific requirements of different visa categories, such as E-2, L-1A, EB-2, and EB-5. Attorneys can assist in gathering and presenting the necessary documentation, including financial records and business plans, in a manner that aligns with immigration mandates. They can also represent you in interactions with immigration authorities, providing an additional layer of credibility and assurance. Moreover, should you encounter any challenges or receive a Request for Evidence (RFE), an attorney can guide you through the appropriate response to strengthen your application.

Here are a few of our immigration attorney partners .

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FACT SHEET: Biden- ⁠ Harris Administration Announces New Border Enforcement   Actions

New Measures Leverage Success of Venezuela Enforcement Initiative to Limit Disorderly and Unsafe Migration

While the courts have prevented the Title 42 public health order from lifting for now, the Biden-Harris Administration today is announcing new enforcement measures to increase security at the border and reduce the number of individuals crossing unlawfully between ports of entry. These measures will expand and expedite legal pathways for orderly migration and result in new consequences for those who fail to use those legal pathways. They also draw on the success of the Venezuela initiative, which launched in October 2022 and has resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of Venezuelan nationals attempting to enter the United States unlawfully. The Administration is also announcing that it is surging additional resources to the border and the region, scaling up its anti-smuggling operations, and expanding coordination and support for border cities and non-governmental organizations. Importantly, the actions announced today are being implemented in close partnership with Mexico and governments across the Western Hemisphere. While these steps will help address some of the most acute challenges at the Southwest border, they will not solve all of the problems in an immigration system that has been broken for far too long. That can only happen if Republicans in Congress who have spent the past two years talking about border security quit blocking the comprehensive immigration reform and border security measures President Biden proposed on his first day in office, and opposing the billions of dollars in additional funds the President has requested for border security and management. Unlike some Republican officials playing political games and obstructing real solutions to fix our broken immigration system, President Biden has a plan and is taking action. Under the new enforcement measures announced today, the Biden-Harris Administration will: Impose New Consequences for Individuals who Attempt to Enter Unlawfully To facilitate a return to the processing of all noncitizens under Title 8 authorities when Title 42 eventually lifts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is :

• Increasing the Use of Expedited Removal. Effective immediately, individuals who attempt to enter the United States without permission, do not have a legal basis to remain, and cannot be expelled pursuant to Title 42 will be increasingly subject to expedited removal to their country of origin and subject to a five-year ban on reentry.
• Announcing New Measures to Encourage Individuals to Seek Orderly and Lawful Pathways to Migration. DHS and the Department of Justice today are announcing their intent to propose a new regulation that would encourage individuals to seek orderly and lawful pathways to migration and reduce overcrowding along the southwest border and the strain on the immigration system.

Expand Legal Pathways for Safe, Orderly, and Humane Migration The Biden-Harris Administration and its international partners in the region are also announcing new and expanded legal pathways to the United States and other countries that individuals can and should use to avoid consequences for crossing the border unlawfully. These include:

• Expanding the Parole Process for Venezuelans to Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Cubans. Today, the Biden Administration is announcing it will extend the successful Venezuela parole process and expand it to nationals of Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba. Up to 30,000 individuals per month from these four countries, who have an eligible sponsor and pass vetting and background checks, can come to the United States for a period of two years and receive work authorization. Individuals who irregularly cross the Panama, Mexico, or U.S. border after the date of this announcement will be ineligible for the parole process and will be subject to expulsion to Mexico, which will accept returns of 30,000 individuals per month from these four countries who fail to use these new pathways.
• Tripling Refugee Resettlement from the Western Hemisphere. The Biden-Harris Administration intends to welcome up to 20,000 refugees from Latin American and Caribbean countries during Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024, putting the United States on pace to more than triple refugee admissions from the Western Hemisphere this Fiscal Year alone. This delivers on the President’s commitment under the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection to scale up refugee admissions from the Western Hemisphere.
• Launching Online Appointment Portal to Reduce Overcrowding and Wait Times at U.S. Ports of Entry.  When Title 42 eventually lifts, noncitizens located in Central and Northern Mexico seeking to enter the United States lawfully through a U.S. port of entry have access to the CBP One mobile application for scheduling an appointment to present themselves for inspection and to initiate a protection claim instead of coming directly to a port of entry to wait. This new feature will significantly reduce wait times and crowds at U.S. ports of entry and allow for safe, orderly, and humane processing. 
• New Legal Pathways to Other Countries Across the Region. Countries across the Western Hemisphere are delivering on their commitments under the Los Angeles Declaration to expand legal immigration pathways. Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Belize are each implementing new regularization or temporary protection policies to provide legal status to hundreds of thousands of migrants. Canada, Mexico, and Spain have expanded refugee resettlement and temporary work opportunities. Mexico and Guatemala have also significantly grown their asylum system. Individuals are encouraged to avail themselves of this wide range of legal pathways in the region and avoid the dangerous consequences of irregular migration.
• Increasing Humanitarian Assistance in Mexico and Central America. The United States is announcing today nearly $23 million in additional humanitarian assistance in Mexico and Central America. This new assistance will help governments in the region respond to the increased humanitarian and protection needs of migrants, refugees and other vulnerable populations in their care. Recognizing that no one country can respond to these needs alone, this assistance will help support shelter, health, legal assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, water, sanitation, hygiene products, gender-based violence response, livelihoods, other protection related activities, and capacity building for partners. 

Surge Resources to Secure the Border, Disrupt Criminal Smuggling Networks, and Support Border Communities The Biden-Harris Administration is surging resources and expanding efforts to securely manage the border, disrupt the criminal smuggling networks preying on vulnerable migrants, and support communities receiving migrants as they await their immigration enforcement proceedings. New and expanded efforts include:

• Mobilizing Record Resources for Safe, Orderly, and Humane Processing of Migrants. The Biden Administration is marshalling available authorities and resources from across the Federal Government to help ensure the border is secure and well-managed when the Title 42 public health order eventually lifts. DHS and DOJ are surging asylum officers and immigration judges to review asylum cases at the border more quickly – with the aim of reducing initial processing times from months to days. The two agencies are also expanding capabilities and technologies to support faster processing, including by installing hundreds of phone lines and privacy booths to conduct these interviews and proceedings. DHS is also hiring and deploying additional agents and officers to join the over 23,000 already working to secure the border. In addition, DHS is significantly scaling up its air and ground transportation capabilities to quickly remove migrants when warranted or transport migrants to less-congested border sectors for further immigration enforcement proceedings.
• Taking Thousands of Smugglers off the Streets and Countering Smuggler Misinformation. In Los Angeles earlier this year, President Biden announced a first-of-its kind operation against the multi-billion-dollar human smuggling industry. Since April, this operation has led to over 7,300 arrests, forcing many criminal smuggling organizations out of business. The Administration is also taking on the smuggler misinformation. The Department of State is expanding its paid and earned media outreach to ensure timely and accurate information is reaching migrants. Messaging and outreach will target high out-migration communities and migrant routes through relevant communications channels (e.g., radio, digital, trusted partners, and more.) with an estimated reach of over 85 million potential migrants
• Expanding Coordination with and Support for Border Cities, Receiving Communities, and Non-Governmental Organizations. The Biden-Harris Administration is increasing funding available to border cities and those cities receiving an influx of migrants, in addition to strengthening ongoing coordination and collaboration across all levels of government. DHS is also expanding outreach efforts with local jurisdictions to provide coordination of resources and technical assistance support and the Administration has been facilitating coordination between state and local officials and other federal agencies. Additionally, the Administration will continue to mobilize faith-based and non-profit organizations supporting migrants, including those providing temporary shelter, food, and humanitarian assistance before often reuniting with family as they await the outcome of their immigration proceedings.

The Biden-Harris Administration will do everything within its authority and available resources to manage this challenge, but until and unless Congress delivers the funding as well as comprehensive immigration reform measures President Biden requested, the United States’ broken immigration system will indeed remain broken.

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Joining Texas, Iowa Enacts Law for State Immigration Enforcement

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, signed the bill on Wednesday and accused the Biden administration of failing to secure the border.

By Mitch Smith

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will make it a state crime for a person to enter Iowa after having been deported or denied entry into the United States.

The new law, which is set to take effect July 1 but could face court challenges, joins Iowa with Texas in seeking to enforce immigration limits outside the federal system. Ms. Reynolds, who had said she would sign the legislation, accused federal officials of failing to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and putting Americans at risk.

“The Biden administration has failed to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk,” Ms. Reynolds, a Republican, said in a statement. “Those who come into our country illegally have broken the law, yet Biden refuses to deport them. This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books.”

A White House spokesman, Angelo Fernández Hernández, defended the administration’s approach to the border, saying in a statement that federal officials had “removed or returned” hundreds of thousands of people from the United States this year. He also criticized congressional Republicans for failing to pass a border security bill .

“If Republican officials truly care about fixing the broken immigration system and securing our border, they should support the bipartisan border security agreement that is on the table,” Mr. Fernández Hernández said.

Most but not all Democrats in the Iowa Legislature voted against the measure. But with Republicans wielding large majorities in both chambers, opponents could not prevent the bill from passing.

“This bill is a political stunt and a false promise that doesn’t contain the needed resources,” State Senator Janice Weiner, a Democrat from the Iowa City area, said when her chamber debated the measure. “It’s a gotcha bill.”

The law makes it a misdemeanor for a person to enter Iowa if they were previously deported from the United States, denied entry to the country, or left the country while facing a deportation order. In some cases, including people with certain prior convictions, the state crime would become a felony. To enforce the new law, Iowa police officers would be allowed to make arrests in most places, but not in schools, places of worship or health care facilities.

State Representative Steven Holt, a Republican who supported the bill, said after it passed in his chamber that “states can and must act.”

“Many other states are standing up to protect their sovereignty, and their citizens and Iowa must do the same,” Mr. Holt said.

Iowa’s State Capitol in Des Moines is roughly 1,100 miles from the nearest point on the Mexican border, and 500 miles from Canada. About 6 percent of people in Iowa were born outside the United States.

The signing of the law showed that Republicans, even those far from the border, plan to continue focusing on immigration issues in this election year. Ms. Reynolds is one of several governors who have sent National Guard troops and law enforcement officers to Texas to support Gov. Greg Abbott’s increasingly assertive approach to policing the border.

But the Iowa law, like one passed in Texas that has been challenged in court, goes beyond securing the border, and seeks to carve out a state role in policing illegal immigration, which has long been the exclusive domain of federal law enforcement. The Biden administration has called the Texas law, which makes it a state crime to cross the border illegally, an unconstitutional infringement on federal authority over immigration.

More states could follow in Texas and Iowa’s footsteps. Arizona’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a measure this year that would have authorized the state police to arrest undocumented immigrants, but te bill was vetoed by the governor , a Democrat.

Several other states are weighing similar bills, including Louisiana, where the Senate recently passed a bill that would make it a state crime to be in Louisiana while in the country without authorization.

Mitch Smith is a Chicago-based national correspondent for The Times, covering the Midwest and Great Plains. More about Mitch Smith

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Iowa governor signs bill that gives state authority to arrest and deport migrants

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A bill signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday makes it a state crime for a person to be in Iowa if previously denied admission to or removed from the United States.

The law, which takes effect July 1, has elevated anxiety in Iowa’s immigrant communities and has prompted questions among legal experts and law enforcement on how it will be enforced. It mirrors part of a Texas law that is currently blocked in court.

In Iowa and across the country, Republican leaders have accused President Biden of neglecting his responsibilities to enforce federal immigration law, leading Republican governors to send troops to Texas and legislatures to propose a variety of state-level strategies.

“The Biden Administration has failed to enforce our nation’s immigration laws, putting the protection and safety of Iowans at risk,” Reynolds said in a statement after signing the bill. “This bill gives Iowa law enforcement the power to do what he is unwilling to do: enforce immigration laws already on the books.”

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Migrants in Iowa wonder whether to leave over a bill that could see some arrested and deported

A bill in Iowa that would allow the state to arrest and deport some migrants is stoking anxiety among immigrant communities.

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After the Legislature passed the bill, Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert told the Associated Press in an email in March that immigration status does not factor into the department’s work to keep the community safe. He said the force is “not equipped, funded or staffed” to take on responsibilities that are the federal government’s.

“Simply stated, not only do we not have the resources to assume this additional task, we don’t even have the ability to perform this function,” Wingert said.

Shawn Ireland, president of the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Assn. and a deputy sheriff in Linn County, also said in a March email that law enforcement officials would have to consult with county attorneys for guidance on implementation and enforcement.

The Iowa legislation, like the Texas law, could mean criminal charges for people who have outstanding deportation orders or who have previously been removed from or denied admission to the U.S. Once in custody, migrants could either agree to a judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted.

The judge’s order must identify the transportation method for leaving the U.S. and a law enforcement officer or Iowa agency to monitor migrants’ departures. Those who don’t leave could face rearrest under more serious charges.

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Texas’ plan to arrest migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally is on hold while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a challenge.

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The Texas law is stalled in court after a challenge from the U.S. Department of Justice that says it conflicts with the federal government’s immigration authority.

The bill in Iowa faces the same questions of implementation and enforcement as the Texas law, since deportation is a “complicated, expensive and often dangerous” federal process, said immigration law expert Huyen Pham of Texas A&M School of Law.

In the meantime, Iowa’s immigrant community groups are organizing informational meetings and materials to try to answer people’s questions. They’re also asking local and county law enforcement agencies for official statements, as well as face-to-face meetings.

At one community meeting in Des Moines, 80 people gathered and asked questions in Spanish, including: “Should I leave Iowa?”

Others asked: “Is it safe to call the police?” “Can Iowa police ask me about my immigration status?” And: “What happens if I’m racially profiled?”

Fingerhut writes for the Associated Press.

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