(Reuters): President Donald Trump began a significant immigration crackdown on Monday by enacting a number of drastic policies meant to strengthen border security in the United States. Among his first moves, Trump gave the Secretary of Defense the power to send troops to the border if needed and directed the U.S. military to help with border wall construction, detention facilities, and migrant transportation.
Trump's declaration of a national emergency to address the persistent problem of illegal immigration reaffirmed his commitment to border security. Additionally, his administration reinstated the contentious "remain in Mexico" policy, which mandated that foreign-born individuals remain in Mexico while their immigration claims to the United States were being processed.
Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, U.S. border authorities moved to terminate the CBP One program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to legally enter the U.S. by scheduling appointments via an app. The sudden cancellation of existing appointments left many migrants confused and uncertain about their next steps.
Trump, a Republican, promptly implemented his campaign pledges of mass deportations and heightened border enforcement after regaining the presidency. Trump criticized President Joe Biden harshly for his handling of illegal immigration, saying that the Biden administration failed to address the increasing number of migrants entering the nation during Biden's presidency.
The previous year had seen a significant drop in migrant apprehensions, despite Mexico's increased cooperation and Biden's efforts to bolster border enforcement. Republicans respond that deporting the millions of illegal immigrants who entered the nation during Biden's leadership is necessary to restore order. An estimated 13 to 14 million immigrants had been living in the United States illegally by the start of 2022; this figure has since increased.
In his inaugural speech, Trump stated, "As commander-in-chief, I have no greater obligation than to protect the nation from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I intend to do." This statement made apparent his strong stance on immigration enforcement.
Critics and proponents of immigration argue that mass deportations could cause family division, company destruction, and significant financial costs for American taxpayers. Trump's decision to end the CBP One program was contested in court by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which said it effectively ended the only avenue for migrants to legally seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The American public now views immigration less hospitably and is more in favor of stricter policies. Americans are still divided, though, according to a December Reuters/Ipsos poll, with many voicing concerns about policies that deploy detention camps and other severe tactics against undocumented migrants.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, the consequences of the shutdown of Biden's CBP One program were immediately felt. Migrants in various Mexican cities, including Ciudad Juarez, were left stranded after their appointments were canceled just after Trump’s inauguration. Some 280,000 migrants had been using the app daily to secure appointments for entry into the U.S.
One of those impacted was 40-year-old Venezuelan Daynna del Valle, who had been waiting for eight months in Mexico. She was informed that the January 9 appointment she had anticipated had been canceled. Del Valle, who worked at a nail salon while she was waiting, said, "I'm lost," as she battled to send money back to her ailing mother in Colombia. I'm not sure where to go or what to do."
Just minutes after Trump took office, Honduran immigrant Denia Mendez in Piedras Negras, across from Eagle Pass, Texas, was distraught to hear that her scheduled appointment had been canceled. Mendez, who had been waiting for her appointment, stared at her phone in shock, not knowing what to do.
Trump's immigration policy also addressed birthright citizenship, a contentious issue in American politics for a long time. The president signed an order prohibiting children born in the United States to non-citizen or non-permanent resident parents from attaining U.S. citizenship. Urgent legal action was prompted after the ACLU and other organizations filed a complaint in New Hampshire, claiming that Trump's order violates the 14th Amendment's Citizenship Clause.
The action was denounced by ACLU executive director Anthony Romero, who said that "rejecting citizenship to U.S.-born children is more than unconstitutional—it’s also a foolish and ruthless rejection of American values." A major test of the administration's ability to change immigration law is anticipated in the judicial challenge against Trump's birthright citizenship policy.
Along with the birthright citizenship issue, Trump also issued an order that suspended U.S. refugee resettlement for three months. He also conducted an analysis of security protocols to see whether travelers from specific countries should be banned. These orders were part of a broader strategy to reduce immigration to the US and address national security concerns.
One of Trump's first moves was to reverse rules that had prioritized deporting serious offenders. This change broadens the scope of enforcement by concentrating on those who have final deportation orders. This move may lead to more deportations because ICE personnel are now directed to focus on a bigger group of individuals for removal.
The new administration also began the process of assuming control of the U.S. immigration courts. The dismissal of four top immigration court officials by Trump's staff appears to have been an attempt to alter the way judges handle immigration cases. People thought that these actions were part of a bigger plan to give the White House more control over the immigration process.
As part of his fight against criminal organizations, Trump began the process of designating a number of criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The United States could take more drastic counterterrorism measures against terrorist groups with this designation, such as blocking their assets and paying closer attention to their activities.
Additionally, the administration targeted foreign gang members by taking advantage of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. This move advanced Trump's goals to increase the scope of U.S. immigration enforcement and counter perceived threats from illegal immigration and criminal activities.
Trump underlined the necessity of stringent border and immigration policy control throughout these moves. His administration's policies were primarily motivated by national security and economic stability, and it aimed to provide strict control over both legal and illegal immigration.
It is anticipated that the Trump administration's actions will significantly affect both the larger discussion surrounding immigration reform and U.S. immigration law. Some contend that these regulations are unduly harsh and go against the nation's ideals of inclusivity and compassion for immigrants, while supporters contend that they are essential to safeguarding American workers and maintaining national security.
Trump's unilateral orders have already sparked legal disputes, indicating that the fight for immigration reform is far from finished. It is certain that the president's agenda will continue to influence American politics for years to come as justices consider whether Trump's immigration policies are constitutional.
