President Trump signed a flurry of executive orders on immigration on his first day in office, taking a number of measures to severely restrict immigration while increasing the military presence at the border.
The measure would significantly shorten routes for people fleeing danger and persecution to reach the United States, including through widely supported refugee programs.
They also seek to rekindle some of the controversial programs of the president's first term, including rekindling the “Remain in Mexico” program and another program linking local law enforcement and immigration authorities. .
Some of the orders, especially those that seek to strip citizenship from all people born in the United States, are certain to be challenged in court.
“As commander in chief, there is no greater responsibility than to protect our country from threats and invasions, and that is exactly what I will do,” President Trump said in his inaugural address.
But Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said President Trump has repealed many policies that made border crossings lower than they were under the first Trump administration. Ta.
“President Trump wants Americans to think he is fixing our border with this series of executive orders, but he is doing nothing of the sort,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, today's executive actions appear designed to incite fear and inflict atrocities on vulnerable populations in order to falsely claim that they are taking serious action at the border. is.”
end birthright citizenship
President Trump said he would end birthright citizenship for children born to illegal aliens living in the United States. This provision violates constitutional guarantees.
command insistThe Fourteenth Amendment “has never been construed to universally extend citizenship rights to all persons born within the United States.”
Asked about the risk of a legal challenge, Trump said: “I think we have a good case, and you may be right.” “You know, we're the only country in the world that's doing this by birthright. And that's just ridiculous. But, look, we have a very good basis. I'm thinking.”
More than 30 other countries have open-ended birthright citizenship rules similar to the United States.
The Trump administration appeared to acknowledge problems with the order early Monday.
“Going forward, the federal government will no longer grant automatic birthright citizenship to the children of illegal aliens born in the United States,” a Trump administration official said on a call with reporters.
American Civil Liberties Union A lawsuit was filed over the policy. Immediately after it was announced.
“Any talk of birthright citizenship being taken away is just that,” constitutional law expert Thomas Wolfe wrote on social media.
“The Constitution's explicit guarantees cannot be revoked by the president. The Constitution's text reflects a fundamental American principle: 'Citizenship comes with being born here.' No executive order can survive a court battle. ”
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus denounced the measure as a political stunt.
“‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States and who are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are citizens of the United States.’ This is a direct quote from the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the caucus said in a statement. mentioned in.
“Birthright citizenship is a key driver of our nation's economic success, enabling millions of people to contribute as workers, business owners, and taxpayers. Deprivation will create a permanent underclass and destabilize the workforce.”
Suspend refugee admissions
Signed by President TrumporderIt would effectively suspend refugee admissions for at least three months, titled “Realign the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to Better Consistent with American Principles and U.S. Interests.”
The order requires the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to release a report within 90 days detailing whether it is in the national interest to resume accepting refugees.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State will submit a report every 90 days until it is deemed appropriate to resume accepting refugees, the order said. Until then, refugee admissions will be suspended.
“The Refugee Program is more than just a humanitarian lifeline for which the United States has demonstrated global leadership. It represents a standard,” said Krish Omara Vignaraja, president and CEO of Global Refuge, which helps resettle refugees.
“The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was designed and improved over four decades to address the very concerns that were used to shut it down today.”
meanwhile During the first Trump administration, the number of refugee admissions plummeted from 85,000 under Obama to 11,800 in Trump's final year. In the final year of the program, the impact of the new coronavirus was felt, but in the two years before that, the number of refugee admissions in the country remained at about 25,000.
Designation of certain cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
President Trump has fulfilled his campaign promise to designate certain drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.movementThis specifically targets groups such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
Designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations would make it easier for authorities to arrest and deport convicted members, as well as prosecute those who supported them.
“This is a big deal,” President Trump said as he signed the order. “People have wanted this for years…Mexico probably doesn't want it. But we have to do the right thing.”
Although many of President Trump's comments and orders focus on Mexico's cartel problem, many of the groups mentioned do not have a presence in the country.
Torren de Aragua and MS-13 are gangs primarily active in Central and South America.
The order also hints at the possibility of using the Hostile Aliens Act, which would allow for the detention and expedited deportation of nationals of designated countries based solely on nationality.
This detail is sure to alarm critics, as the law has been abused in the past, including as the basis for the internment of Japanese people during World War II. Immigration advocates say this opens up the possibility of targeting immigrants solely based on their country of origin.
Declaring a national emergency and increasing military presence at borders
President Trump signs it Monday nightdeclarationThe move is to declare a national emergency at the U.S. southern border and mobilize additional resources to the region.
The declaration allows the Trump administration to commit Pentagon troops and resources to help complete construction of the border wall. An incoming White House official told reporters he could not specify how many troops would be sent to the border, saying it was up to the Pentagon.
The order also authorizes increased military surveillance at the border, including the use of unmanned aircraft systems.
“Due to the seriousness and urgency of this current danger and imminent threat, the Armed Forces must take all appropriate actions to assist the Department of Homeland Security in gaining full operational control of the southern border.” says the order.
another orderIt also aims to lay the groundwork for expanding the military presence on the border, writing that “it is essential that the military continues to participate resolutely in the defense of our country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.” .
Actions at the southern border
Another order signed by President Trump on Monday night included a wide range of measures to control the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, including reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
Remain in Mexico, officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, requires individuals to await asylum in Mexico, regardless of their country of origin. excited this
orderThese include calls for the construction of a physical barrier along the southern border and the deployment of “sufficient personnel along the southern border of the United States to ensure complete operational control.”
The document outlines that the Department of Homeland Security should issue new policy guidance or propose new regulations that would require undocumented immigrants to be detained rather than released until their court dates.
The order also calls on the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to “prioritize the prosecution of crimes related to the United States' borders,” including smuggling and human trafficking.
and it undoesparole programIt was established under the Biden administration for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
The program allowed citizens of these countries to enter the United States for up to two years, if they secured funding, reducing the number of border crossings and allowing them to enter the country on parole.
Order deeming migration an “invasion”
The order includes a number of provisions aimed at people who are in the country illegally.
orderIt also aims to increase capacity in the U.S. to hold immigrants, which Trump has argued should not be released into the country while awaiting a determination of their immigration status. This is in response to the fact that
“The Secretary of Homeland Security shall promptly take all appropriate steps and allocate all legally available resources to construct, operate, manage, or use facilities for the detention of removable aliens. “A contract shall be established for the purpose of this,” the order states.
The order directs the attorneys general to “prioritize the prosecution of criminal offenses related to the unlawful entry or continued unlawful presence of aliens in the United States.”
It also launches the controversial 287(g) program, which partners local law enforcement and immigration officials to help identify illegal immigrants.
The move calls for increased scrutiny of so-called sanctuary cities, but it's unclear what powers the federal government has to fight them.
Require all immigrants to comply with laws requiring resident registration, and establish a Homeland Security Task Force in each state.
The order rescinds a Biden-era order directing the government to address the “root causes of migration” and an order created in the first Trump administration that created a family reunification task force to reunite separated families. It is something.
aSeparate orderThe bill, entitled “Ensuring the Nation's Protection Against Invasion,” would classify the influx of migrants at the southern border as an “invasion,” effectively invoking the president's authority to halt immigration.
“The inherent powers of the President to control the borders of the United States, including those derived from the President's authority to control the foreign affairs of the United States, include the ability to prevent the physical entry of foreign nationals involved in invasion of the United States. and their immediate repatriation to another location,” the order states.
Order to ramp up testing and screening
Signed by President TrumporderCiting national security concerns, he called for increased screening and screening of immigrants entering the United States.
“To protect Americans, the United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that foreign nationals admitted to the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests,” the order said. states.
The order calls for ensuring that those admitted to the United States “do not exhibit hostile attitudes” toward American citizens or values.
It also requires the Secretary of State, Secretary of Homeland Security, Attorney General, and Director of National Intelligence to submit a joint report identifying countries that require increased testing and identifying how many people from those countries were admitted into the country during the period. It requires submission within 60 days. Biden administration.
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly told exaggerated and misleading stories about Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries emptying their prisons and shipping dangerous criminals to the United States.
