ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

Currently there is a push on deportation of illegal immigrants.  This is nothing new.  In one year of his term, President Obama deported more than 435,000 illegal immigrants in 2013 (more than 2.5 million through 2015)* that caused him some grief in the Hispanic community.  A report by the Pew Research Center says:

The number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. has stabilized in recent years after decades of rapid growth. But the origin countries of unauthorized immigrants have shifted, with the number from Mexico declining since 2009 and the number from elsewhere rising, according to the latest  Pew Poll (see figure)*

(Click on figure to enlarge)

The Pew Research Center gives the following facts about illegal immigration (see original article for details):*
(1) There were 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. in 2014
(2) The U.S. civilian workforce included 8 million unauthorized immigrants in 2014, accounting for 5% of those who were working or were unemployed and looking for work,
(3) Mexicans made up 52% of all unauthorized immigrants in 2014, though their numbers had been declining in recent years.
(4) Six states accounted for 59% of unauthorized immigrants in 2014: California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey and Illinois.
(5) A rising share of unauthorized immigrants have lived in the U.S. for at least a decade.

Many politicians including Obama and many Republicans have expressed a feeling that we shouldn't breakup families; however, there is at least one current case of a mother, here for 20 yrs, included in the roundup who was convicted of using a fake social security number long ago.  Why she wasn't deported at the time of her conviction, I do not know.  I think it too late now, however, as she has two children.  There are lawyers who specialize in illegal immigrant cases (e.g. Margaret Wong**).  It could be in the end, she will not be deported.

Here are some particulars on deportation.
Since the passage of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA) and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), both in 1996, deportations of foreigners have increased dramatically. It is a misconception to believe that only hardened criminals get deported But this perception is completely wrong. Wrong because of the harsh provisions of the 1996 laws, even small misdemeanors can lead to one's removal from the United States, no matter how long he or she has been a lawful permanent resident. It all depends on the wording of particular statues violated, shoplifting (petty theft), drunk driving, "joy-riding," disorderly conduct, etc. Any of of these convictions, in some instances, can be used as a basis for deportation. Most amazingly, in most cases it matters how long ago the act took place. You could have shoplifted 18 years ago. On the other hand the law also allows for the deportation of aggravated felons. The problem is that the word "aggravated felony" is defined differently and much more broadly under any previous immigration law than under criminal law. Most people would not believe that what may not have been an aggravated felony or even a deportable act under immigration laws at the time of the conviction, may be one. If the USCIS succeeds in proving that an alien is an "aggravated felon" under immigration laws, he or she is left with practically no options to avoid deportation.***

* http://www.snopes.com/obama-deported-more-people/
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/03/5-facts-about-illegal-immigration-in-the-u-s/
** https://www.imwong.com/about-us/success-stories/success-stories-deportation/
*** http://www.apsanlaw.com/law-77.Who-can-be-deported-now-called-removed.html