[President Trump Moves Swiftly to Implement Immigration Agenda in First Week in Office
Within hours of taking office, President Trump signed a series of executive actions that have already had far-reaching impacts for people both within and outside the US. By Wednesday, incoming refugee flights were canceled, troops were deployed to the border, federal authorities were given permission to arrest individuals in or near schools and churches, and the pool of undocumented immigrants eligible for quick deportation without a judicial hearing was expanded.
As a result, approximately 300 migrants have arrived in the northeast Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, many of whom had expected to cross into the US legally, only to find their appointments canceled. The region is seeing a steady increase in migrants arriving from southern Mexico, Haiti, Venezuela, and Central America, said Juan José RodrÃguez, director of the Institute for Migrants of Tamaulipas.
Despite the cancellations, deportations have remained steady, with around 150 people being deported daily, according to RodrÃguez. Additionally, a new directive has been issued by the Department of Homeland Security’s acting secretary, giving law enforcement agencies the authority to investigate and arrest unlawful immigrants in the US.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also requested that the federal government reimburse the state for the over $11.1 billion it has spent securing the border, citing the Biden Administration’s failure to do its job for the past four years. President Trump has also spoken with the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, to discuss immigration and transnational gangs, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation to address illegal immigration and combat the growing influence of transnational gangs.
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