Trump’s Immigration Crackdown: Key Issues to Watch
President Trump is back in power, and his immigration agenda is clear. His executive orders signed this week outline a sweeping agenda, from declaring an invasion at the border to ending birthright citizenship. But significant questions remain about what’s next.
Birthright Citizenship Ban
Trump’s executive order declares that babies born to undocumented immigrants or parents who are in the US legally on temporary visas are not US citizens. The policy applies to babies born after February 19 and prevents the federal government from issuing them documents like passports or Social Security cards. The order is already facing legal challenges from pregnant mothers, advocacy organizations, and state attorneys general arguing it violates the Constitution and longstanding legal precedent.
Military Assistance at the Border
Thousands of additional active-duty troops are being ordered to the US southern border. Trump has also issued an executive order stating he will decide within 90 days whether to invoke the Insurrection Act at the border, which would allow him to use active-duty troops domestically for law enforcement. This would be a significant escalation of military involvement at the border.
Mexico and US Relations
Both Mexico and the US have new presidents, and it’s unclear how well they will work together. Mexico could be impacted significantly by Trump’s executive orders, including his plan to designate cartels as terrorist organizations and the return of the program that sends migrants back across the border for the duration of their immigration cases.
Mass Deportations
Trump’s executive orders began laying the groundwork for mass deportations, expanding the pool of undocumented immigrants subject to fast-track deportation and pushing for an increase in detention facilities. However, funding for these efforts is uncertain.
Sanctuary Cities
Trump is threatening to cut funding to sanctuary cities, and a Justice Department memo outlined the administration’s plans to challenge so-called "sanctuary city" laws by threatening to prosecute state and local officials who resist the federal immigration crackdown.
Travel Bans
An executive order signed by Trump paved the way for a new spate of travel bans, but it’s unclear which countries will be impacted. The order directs officials to respond in 60 days with recommendations for countries whose nationals should be subject to travel restrictions.
Biden Administration Policies
Among the first steps Trump took was an executive order undoing a number of Biden administration policies, including a program that had created a pathway for people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to come to the US. More than half a million people from those four countries came to the US under this program, and their futures are now uncertain.
