Former President Donald Trump has embarked on his second term with a series of executive orders aimed at significantly restricting immigration and asylum access in the United States. These actions effectively close off essential legal pathways for migrants, particularly those fleeing violence and persecution.
On January 22, 2025, migrants using the government app CBP One were seen waiting to enter the Paso Del Norte international bridge from Juárez, Mexico, as Trump’s administration moved to dismantle programs that had previously facilitated safer entry into the U.S. His first executive order, titled “Securing Our Borders,” seeks to revoke the Biden administration’s policies that allowed migrants to apply for asylum upon their arrival.
In his order, Trump expressed concern over what he described as a substantial influx of “illegal aliens,” including potential threats such as terrorists and members of violent organizations. He indicated that his administration’s renewed focus on border security would address these concerns more aggressively than during his first term.
Key components of Trump’s new immigration strategy include:
1. **Disabling CBP One:** The government app, which assisted migrants in scheduling appointments for legal entry into the U.S., was immediately deactivated. This sudden move left around 30,000 migrants with pending appointments in limbo and removed a structured method for entering the U.S. safely.
2. **Ending Humanitarian Parole:** Trump’s administration has terminated a program that allowed citizens from countries facing humanitarian crises—specifically Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—to apply for humanitarian parole if they had financial sponsorship from an American. This program had facilitated over 500,000 entries since its inception.
3. **Reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy:** Trump has ordered the revival of the controversial Migrant Protection Protocols, which mandate that certain migrants wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed in U.S. immigration courts. This policy has faced significant criticism due to the dangerous conditions migrants often endure while waiting.
4. **Declaring an ‘Invasion’:** In a separate executive order, Trump has labeled the surging border crossings as an “invasion,” referencing constitutional protections that require the federal government to defend states against such incursions. He has invoked the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict noncitizens from crossing the southern border until he deems the situation resolved.
These sweeping changes are poised to encounter legal challenges, as many aspects of Trump’s interpretation of immigration laws and constitutional rights have been contested in courts before. Current advocacy groups are likely to respond swiftly, given the implications for migrants’ rights and protections.
As the Trump administration moves forward with these policies, the ramifications for migrant communities and the legal landscape surrounding immigration in the U.S. are yet to unfold.
