Changes in DHS: Legal Assistance for Migrants Ends
A lesser-known division within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has put an end to numerous legal advantages that benefitted 2.2 million migrants who were granted entry during President Joe Biden’s administration.
This termination of legal support will enable the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to counteract the efforts of well-funded pro-migration attorneys who aim to reduce deportations.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) described these actions as a way to “reverse the downstream effects of the Biden border crisis” in a statement issued on October 29. The statement went on to explain:
These actions complement the millions of visa revocations and denials from the U.S. Department of State, as well as deportations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
USCIS is responsible for evaluating applications for visas, work permits, green cards, and other immigration benefits.
During Biden’s term, this agency has often been seen as facilitating the entry of illegal migrants, criminals, and employers looking for low-wage labor. For instance, USCIS approved a significant number of work permits, Social Security Numbers, Temporary Protected Status, and essential green cards that allow migrants to seek legal residency.
This influx of migrants has resulted in a surge in illegal workers in various sectors, impacting American jobs, housing, schools, and healthcare systems—supported by substantial funding from non-profit organizations aligned with the Democratic Party.
The situation is now shifting, as USCIS has started reversing some of these policies. An example includes the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian migrants in Spring, Ohio, leading to canceled work permits and potential deportations.
The Department of Homeland Security highlighted that during Donald Trump’s presidency, USCIS emphasized:
Ending the improper use of Temporary Protected Status to ensure it remains genuinely temporary;
Refusing applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status when there is no legal justification;
Issuing Notices to Appear (NTAs) for deportable individuals to initiate proceedings with immigration judges;
Eliminating the automatic extension of work authorization documents, ensuring that every individual is thoroughly vetted before any renewal; and
Abolishing broad parole programs to reinstate a strict case-by-case review as intended by Congress.
USCIS has also reinstated security checks and verifications when granting immigration benefits, such as work permits and citizenship. Notably, the agency has reduced the number of citizenship grants as it conducts security screenings that were overlooked under the Biden administration.
This shift faces significant pushback from elite-funded pro-migration lawyers, sympathetic judges, and advocacy groups. However, DHS attorneys have successfully countered these challenges in court.
“President Trump pledged to uphold our immigration laws, and these figures reflect that commitment,” stated DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, adding that:
Individuals who violate or disregard our immigration system are now under scrutiny, as we will not ignore breaches of the law. Strengthening our border was just the beginning. We are reinstating integrity in the immigration system while prioritizing the safety of American citizens.
