
President Donald Trump
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Following his inauguration, President Donald Trump has rapidly instituted significant changes to the US immigration system through a series of executive actions.
In just a week, his administration has announced over 20 directives aimed at strengthening measures against undocumented migrants, eliciting urgent reactions from various stakeholders concerned about the immediate and foreseeable impacts on communities nationwide. Central to Trump's immigration agenda is an unwavering commitment to deporting undocumented individuals, a hallmark of his previous administration. In a swift response, the Department of Defense has revealed plans to utilize military aircraft to assist in the deportation of over 5,000 individuals apprehended by Border Patrol in areas like San Diego and El Paso.
Reports indicate a marked increase in enforcement actions, with more than 1,000 deportations occurring within the first four days of Trump's presidency. The administration intends to bolster expedited deportation processes, which had been curtailed under the Biden administration, extending removal actions to undocumented migrants residing more than 100 miles from the US border and who have lived in the country for less than two years. These recent policy shifts can be understood in the context of past administrations' varying approaches to immigration enforcement.
Data from the Biden administration indicates that approximately 271,000 individuals were deported in the fiscal year 2024, averaging around 740 deportations per day—figures that slightly lag behind those observed during Trump's former tenure. Comparatively, Barack Obama's presidency recorded about 2.9 million deportations in a similar timeframe. In addition to increased deportations, the Trump administration has also deployed an extra 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border.
This military presence aims to support Border Patrol agents in surveillance efforts and the construction of barriers intended to deter unlawful crossings. While officials have disclosed plans for further border enforcement operations, specifics remain undisclosed. This development mirrors earlier military deployments under Biden that focused on providing administrative support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a notable alteration to asylum processing, Trump has also issued an executive order that entirely halts the entry of undocumented migrants, significantly changing the legal framework for asylum claims. While Biden's administration had previously implemented tighter restrictions, the current measures exacerbate challenges faced by individuals seeking refuge from violence and political instability. The recent discontinuation of the CBP One mobile application, initially introduced by Biden to facilitate appointment scheduling for asylum seekers, further complicates the humanitarian landscape.
With the app’s removal, approximately 270,000 migrants are left in limbo in Mexico, having been stripped of their scheduled opportunities to seek legal entry into the US. This abrupt suspension has prompted legal challenges from civil rights advocates and has deepened the distress of those awaiting asylum. In anticipation of potential surges in returning migrants, Mexico has initiated the construction of temporary shelters in border cities as part of the program "Mexico Embraces You."
This collaborative effort aims to provide resources and support for reintegration, although concerns persist regarding the country’s capacity to handle an influx of deportees, many of whom are fleeing precarious situations in their countries of origin. Additionally, Trump's executive actions expand the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing the agency to operate in sensitive locations such as schools and places of worship, countering former guidelines designed to protect vulnerable community areas.
Although recent reports suggest that ICE's current enforcement activities reflect routine operations, city officials are bracing for potential large-scale raids in the upcoming weeks.