Since his inauguration, President Trump has moved rapidly to make his imprint on America’s immigration policy through a mixture of Executive Action and agency policy changes. The most high-profile Executive Action seeks to remove birthright citizenship for an individual whose mother has no legal status or is in the country on a temporary visa and when the individual’s father was not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of birth. This order was immediately halted by a 14-day restraining order by a Federal Judge who stated that “[t]here is a strong likelihood that …the Executive Order violates the Fourteenth Amendment and the Immigration and Nationality Act.”
As part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy, Mr. Trump has also taken steps to expand the scope of expedited removal—a process that allows ICE and CBP to arrest and swiftly deport individuals they believe are undocumented without a court hearing. Under this expansion, authorities can now remove undocumented individuals who are unable to prove they have continuously resided in the U.S. for at least two years prior to their arrest. Additionally, the administration has broadened the scope of enforcement operations by lifting restrictions on immigration arrests in traditionally protected areas such as courthouses, schools, churches, and hospitals, further intensifying efforts to crack down on undocumented immigration.
At the U.S.–Mexico border, the government began deploying active-duty troops to assist CBP with barrier construction and using military aircraft for deportation flights. As part of its broader immigration strategy, the administration also reinstated the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed. In a further tightening of asylum access, the government eliminated the CBP One mobile app, which previously allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry. These measures were reinforced by an executive action in which Mr. Trump declared that migration at the southern border constitutes an “invasion.” This order not only suspends the physical entry of individuals deemed part of the invasion but also prevents them from invoking provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that would otherwise permit them to seek asylum or remain in the United States.
The immigration landscape is shifting rapidly under the new administration. At Brown Immigration Law, we are committed to keeping you informed of the latest developments and providing expert legal guidance during this uncertain time. If you or a loved one are impacted by these changes, our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate your options and protect your rights. Stay connected with us for timely updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized assistance.
