One year into the second Trump administration, immigration policy has been fundamentally transformed. What began as a rapid series of executive actions has now become an expansive and well-funded enforcement paradigm, one that has tested constitutional limits, reshaped federal institutions, and redefined what immigration enforcement looks like in America. 

This talk by Dr. Austin Kocher offers a clear-eyed assessment of where things stand after twelve months: how enforcement has evolved on the ground, how the administration's justifications for aggressive tactics have failed to withstand legal and empirical scrutiny, and what the long-term consequences are for immigrant families, communities, and the rule of law itself.

Kocher contextualizes the current moment within broader historical patterns, identifies what truly is unprecedented, and looks ahead to what we can expect in the year to come. Beyond analysis, Kocher will share practical tools and strategies for students and scholars trying to navigate this fast-moving policy landscape, including how to find, interpret, and critically assess immigration policy and enforcement data.

This talk is open to the community and sponsored by Saint Louis University’s Department of History and Center for Social Action.

For more on Dr. Kocher’s work, visit his Substack.