On Jan. 20, former President Donald Trump was re-sworn into office, alongside Vice President JD Vance. While only being in office for a few days, Trump has already signed major bills which affect millions of Americans. Let’s take a look at a few policies and orders about immigration.
Immigration and border patrol
In his first days, Trump signed multiple bills based around border protection and the removal of immigrants.
According to the Associated Press (AP), he signed an order which states there is an “invasion across the southern border of the United States,” along with, “his Cabinet shall take appropriate action to repel, repatriate or remove any alien engaged in the invasion.” This means Trump’s cabinet will make choices to stop actions which seem inappropriate at the border. Within the order he stated the United States border is in a national crisis.
“In the United States point of view, a state’s problem that requires federal action is most likely some sort of crisis,” AP History student Colton Starr ‘27 said. “Example being hurricanes in Florida in which federal action was taken place; this classified it as a crisis”
Trump also states American military members can act in a role of immigration and border enforcement to fulfill his goal of mass deportation.
“The President has control over the military as he is the Commander-in-chief,” AP Government teacher Tyler Shaw said. “This can be called the power of the sword; it’s a way to limit other branches’ power.”
Along with his power of Commander in Chief of the Military and Cabinet control, Trump has stated Homeland Security will have a task force in all 50 states with a goal to end “the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.”
Trump stopped refugee arrivals, with a suspension on the U.S. Refugee Admission Program. After a 90-day review, which started on Jan. 27 it will start with advice from Homeland Security and other members of Trump’s Cabinet.
Another one of Trump’s executive orders is to redefine what a birthright citizenship is; however, this has been deemed unconstitutional by federal courts, journalists and social media users.
“Even though executive orders are an implied power of the President, they can’t override or overturn an amendment to the Constitution,” AP Government student Ethan Guagenti ‘26 said. “Also, the President swears in oath that they will uphold and defend the Constitution.”
AP claims this order has a high potential to be vetoed by the federal courts due to its direct dismissal of the 14th Amendment – a person born within the United States, no matter who the parents are U.S citizens.
Under a 2005 law, he will require the collection of DNA samples and fingerprints of immigration detainees. Along with this he will end “catch-and-release” which has allowed hundreds of migrants to live in the U.S as they wait for their immigration court hearings.
He will also stop all “parole programs/family reunification.” This allows families of citizens to be a permanent resident from South American countries as they wait for visas.
Lastly, he passed an order which states cartels are “Foreign Terrorist Organizations.” He has used the Alien Enemies Act to explain this choice. Trump has stated he is committed to mass deportation and border protection. These orders are the start of his goals, which he stated in his campaign trail. Follow along to learn more about Trump’s executive orders as he continues his transition back into office.