Trump Immigration Policies: A Look at His Changes and Their Impact

It's 2025, and the immigration landscape is shifting. President Trump has issued executive orders aimed at changing how the U.S. handles immigration. These changes could affect many people, from those seeking visas to those already living here.

Enhanced Vetting and Travel Restrictions

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department will implement "enhanced vetting," which means more scrutiny for visa applicants.

• The immediate effects of this policy are likely to be substantial. Here's what you can expect:
• Visa appointments will be backlogged or even suspended for extended periods.
• Foreign nationals from high-risk countries will face heightened scrutiny.
• Expect more Requests for Evidence (RFE) and denials for applications.
• Partial or full "travel bans" from high-risk countries.

The practical impact of these measures could be substantial for businesses and individuals.

Limits to Birthright Citizenship

Under the new rules, children born in the U.S. on or after February 19, 2025, won't automatically get citizenship. At least one parent must be a legal permanent resident or a U.S. citizen.

If both parents are undocumented or on temporary visas, their children won’t be citizens. This could affect families on temporary visas like B-1, B-2, E-2, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1, and TN. These children might have to apply for a dependent visa based on their parents’ status.

Moreover, the Trump immigration policy Green Card will likely experience processing delays under the new executive orders. There is increased uncertainty around visa availability and renewals and more scrutiny, especially for those from "high-risk" countries.

Border Security and Enforcement

The new policies focus on border security. The administration plans to use armed forces and build more physical barriers. It will also deploy drones to stop unauthorized border crossings.

New policies will be implemented to deny entry at the southern border, and technologies will be used to verify family relationships. The CBP One app and parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans have been ended. This will likely mean increased wait times at ports of entry, and foreign nationals should be prepared to provide documentation for their dependents.

Trade and Immigration

The administration is also reviewing trade agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA). The goal is to renegotiate or withdraw from agreements that are seen as harmful to American workers. The USCMA includes provisions for the TN visa.

Expect more scrutiny for TN visa applicants. Other treaty-based visas, such as E-1, E-2, E-3, and H-1B1, could also be impacted.

Protecting the American People Against Invasion

The administration has set new policies for illegal immigration. Expedited removal will be used more extensively. Humanitarian parole, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and employment authorization will be limited. Undocumented immigrants must register, and failure to do so is a priority for customs enforcement.

Additionally, “Sanctuary” jurisdictions will lose federal funds if they interfere with federal enforcement. State and local law enforcement officials may be authorized to investigate and detain immigrants.

Furthermore, many Biden-era executive orders have been revoked. This means that TPS and related employment authorizations will likely not be extended. If state and local law enforcement start enforcing immigration laws, expect to be asked about your status. It’s crucial to have immigration documents ready.

Declaring an "Invasion" at the Border

The Trump administration has declared an invasion of migrants at the southern border. This declaration invokes Article IV of the Constitution. It aims to prohibit the entry of anyone, including asylum seekers, at the southern border.

Refugees may be admitted on a case-by-case basis. The administration has also revoked the previous order that aimed to rebuild and enhance programs to resettle refugees.

As a result, those who seek asylum will be blocked from entering the U.S. at the southern border. This is expected to face legal challenges. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is suspended until DHS decides whether it should resume.

Rescinding Previous Orders

Many executive orders and presidential memorandums signed by President Biden have been rescinded. These rescinded orders include policies related to civil immigration enforcement, addressing the causes of migration, family reunification, and strengthening legal immigration systems.

How the ACLU is Pushing Back Against Trump’s Immigration Reforms

Congressional and Local Responses

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling on Congress to use its power of the purse to limit Trump’s immigration agenda. They want Congress to focus on creating a path to citizenship and for states and cities to protect their communities from these policies. This could involve funding legal counsel and creating firewalls between local resources and federal government enforcement.

Mass Deportation Plans

Trump administration plans to expand deportation operations, detaining people in massive camps. This would require arresting millions of people, putting them through removal proceedings, and actually removing them from the country.

Trump is planning to use the military, federal agents, and local police to create a deportation force. There are plans to federalize state National Guard personnel for immigration enforcement.

They also point out that the Fifth Amendment guarantees due process. The ACLU will fight any efforts to sidestep the removal process. Deploying the Alien Enemies Act for mass deportation would be a misuse of law, they say.

Funding and Congressional Action

Trump’s deportation plans will require huge increases in funding. The ACLU will lobby Congress to resist these funding requests. They will also push for oversight of ICE’s actions. They will lobby for more congressional oversight of CBP. They will also push for congressional action to provide legal counsel to immigrants.

State and Local Protections

The ACLU is urging state and local governments to deny federal immigration enforcement resources. They are also encouraging states to create firewalls between state and local resources and federal immigration enforcement.

State officials are urged to pardon people who face deportation due to state convictions. States can also create driver's licenses for undocumented residents to prevent them from being deported.

Attacking Children and Families

Trump is attacking the concept of birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented parents. The ACLU believes these policies will be challenged in court and will fight any return to family separations.

Assault on Asylum

Trump is seeking to dismantle the U.S. asylum system. He is reportedly planning to introduce a major bill on border security. The administration seeks to militarize the border.

The ACLU notes that the Immigration and Nationality Act guarantees access to asylum. Any attempt to end the asylum system will face legal challenges.

Parting Thoughts

Trump immigration policies are vast and complex. They touch on many aspects of immigration, from visas to asylum. These policies could have significant legal, economic, and social impacts.

As these policies develop, it is important to remain well-informed about the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services process and aware of changes to policy. Hiring an immigration attorney like Hacking Immigration Law, LLC, is ideal in this kind of situation.