Trump GovernanceS Immigration Policies Face Scrutiny

Since taking office in January,the Trump administration has implemented a series of immigration measures targeting asylum seekers,undocumented migrants,and foreigners with legal status,raising concerns among ⁢legal experts and human rights organizations.

Sweeping Changes on Day One

On Jan. 20, president Trump reaffirmed his campaign promise ‍to ⁢pursue ⁤mass deportations, potentially affecting up to 11 million undocumented immigrants. That same day,his administration ⁤initiated multiple ⁤immigration policy changes,including declaring an⁤ “invasion” at the⁤ U.S.-Mexico border and proposing an end to birthright citizenship, a move facing legal challenges.

Kathleen Vannucci, an immigration law professor at⁢ Northwestern University, described the administration’s actions as “constant attacks against ⁣immigrants, unlike anything we have seen before.”‍ According to Just Security, a New York University project tracking⁣ legal challenges to the⁣ federal government, the Trump administration⁣ has faced over 50 legal actions related to its immigration policies in ⁤its first 100⁣ days.

Asylum System Under Pressure

The administration’s ‍initial actions considerably⁤ impacted the⁤ U.S. asylum system. On Jan. 20, a policy implemented under the Biden administration, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments to apply for asylum at ⁤the border, was rescinded. The New York Times reported that this decision led to the cancellation of approximately 30,000⁤ interviews.Furthermore, through a decree, Trump effectively ended asylum applications at the Mexican border. Amnesty International has condemned this as a “violation” of U.S. obligations under refugee and human⁤ rights laws.

vannucci emphasized the right ⁤to‍ seek asylum nonetheless of ⁣entry method. ⁣While noting previous “erosion” of this right under both the Trump and Biden administrations, she characterized⁢ the latest decisions as unprecedented.

The Trump administration dose not believe that all these individuals can⁣ benefit⁢ from protection. There is this preconceived ⁤idea ‍that they lie.

Kathleen Vannucci, immigration law specialist

Temporary Protected status Targeted

The Trump administration is also moving to end Temporary Protected‍ Status (TPS) for immigrants ⁣from countries facing dangerous conditions. In late January, the government revoked‍ an extension⁣ of TPS for Venezuelans.

Expulsion Concerns and Legal Challenges

Moud Khalil, a permanent resident, is⁢ reportedly facing expulsion ⁣due to his ⁣pro-Palestinian views.⁢ The New York Times has noted that permanent residents generally cannot be deported for their political stances. Khalil’s case involves alleged ⁣violations of due process, and he is‍ currently detained in Louisiana, similar to ‍Rumeysa Ozturk.

Shannon⁤ Shepherd, ⁣a lawyer specializing in foreign law, told ‍franceinfo that the government ⁢is attempting⁣ to expedite ⁣expulsion procedures. “My colleagues tell me about accelerated procedures that should not be,” Shepherd said, adding, “there is a precedent for ⁣a long time, ‍according to which everyone in the United States‍ is entitled to regular procedure,” ⁣even in expulsion cases.

We see blatant violations of this right, ⁤things that go beyond reason.

Shannon Shepherd,‍ lawyer specializing in foreign law

Controversial Tactics

The administration has considered sending migrants to Guantanamo ⁢Bay ⁤and using military sites for processing. ⁣Donald‍ Trump invoked a ⁤1798 law concerning “foreign enemies”—previously‍ used only in wartime—to expel over 200 migrants accused of ⁤belonging⁣ to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Even though a federal judge temporarily halted‍ these deportations, the administration allegedly “deliberately⁢ ignored” the ruling. Some migrants, reportedly arrested based on tattoos, were sent to a terrorist detention center in El Salvador ⁣for at least a year.

According to CBS, 75% of those deported to El Salvador had no criminal record in⁣ the U.S. While some are accused of⁣ serious⁣ crimes,others ‍include a gay asylum seeker and ⁣Kilmar Abrego Garcia,a Salvadoran man deported ⁣due to an “administrative error.” ⁤Despite‍ a 2019 court order ⁢protecting Garcia from deportation⁣ due to potential “persecution” in El Salvador, the administration claimed ⁣he was a member ⁣of the MS-13 gang.

Looking Ahead

The New York Times reports that expulsion levels remain consistent with⁣ the⁢ end of the Biden presidency.However,Shannon Shepherd fears the administration is “ready to go far.” Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh echoed this sentiment, stating the government seems “persistent to test a large ⁤number of new things” ⁤to achieve its goals.