Immigration enforcement policies in the United States are influencing internal migration patterns among immigrant populations, leading some individuals and families to relocate from areas with high enforcement activity to regions perceived as having less enforcement.
Relocation Decisions
One individual, referred to as "E," reported a decision to leave Tampa, Florida, with her daughter. This decision followed the implementation of stricter immigration policies under Florida's state leadership, which included enforcement actions such as a raid at her husband's workplace and the deportation of known individuals. The family subsequently moved to a small town in Michigan, motivated by a friend's report of fewer enforcement actions and available employment.
Separately, an individual identified as "R" relocated from Omaha, Nebraska. This move occurred after a significant immigration enforcement operation at a local meatpacking plant. "R" traveled to a city in North Carolina, where employment was secured in roofing. Five months after the relocation, "R" indicated that the area had experienced minimal immigration enforcement activity.
Demographic Trends and Expert Analysis
The movement of undocumented immigrants within the U.S. lacks precise statistical tracking. However, demographer Matt Brooks of Florida State University, who analyzes population flows, identifies consistent trends since the 1980s.
Brooks suggests that immigration often involves a multi-stage process:
- Initial settlement in major urban centers.
- A subsequent move, frequently to the Southern or Midwestern U.S., driven by employment opportunities in sectors such as agriculture or manufacturing.
- A potential third relocation, away from areas with intensive immigration enforcement, towards cities and towns perceived as having a lower enforcement presence.
As an example, Brooks cited Mississippi, noting that a large-scale immigration raid at food-processing plants near Jackson in 2019 correlated with an outward flow of immigrants from the state that has since more than doubled the inward flow.
Broader Impacts
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported that 1.6 million immigrants have voluntarily departed the country. Additionally, observations indicate an increase in internal migration, with families moving away from zones experiencing higher immigration enforcement activity.