Canadian-US deportations may boost transnational crime

Subject

Canadian and US policy toward deporting foreign criminals.

Significance

Experts have argued that deporting foreign-born criminals can have a disproportionately negative impact on the recipient country and have a 'boomerang effect' on security by internationalising criminal networks outside of local jurisdiction, but there are minimal political incentives for policymakers to advocate changes to the status quo.

Impacts

• The migration crisis in Europe will drive similar debates, potentially setting the European Court of Justice against national policymakers.
• Emergency security measures, combined with a recent gang truce, may see violence focused on security forces in El Salvador.
• Multilateral institutions may help facilitate cooperation on regional security issues.