President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, signaling a return to his tough immigration policies.
In a series of executive orders signed on Monday, Trump vowed to take aggressive measures to address what he described as an “imminent threat” at the southern border, despite a recent decline in unauthorized crossings under the Biden administration.
Key actions in his plan include:
- Ending Birthright Citizenship: A controversial move that challenges the 14th Amendment, seeking to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants.
- Resuming Border Wall Construction: Trump has reinitiated work on the border wall that was halted by President Biden.
- Designating Drug Cartels as Terrorist Organizations: A tactic aimed at fighting cross-border crime.
- Mass Deportations: Trump announced plans for the “largest deportation effort in American history.”
- Reinstating “Remain in Mexico” Policy: This requires asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while waiting for their hearings in the U.S.
These measures also include immigration raids and the cancellation of the CBP One app, which facilitated migrant appointments at border ports. These moves have sparked fears of increased dangers for vulnerable immigrant communities.
Critics, including civil rights groups and immigration advocates, have condemned Trump’s actions as harmful and divisive. Legal challenges are already underway, particularly concerning the push to end birthright citizenship. Despite this backlash, Trump’s base has strongly supported his hardline stance, applauding his promises to overhaul U.S. immigration laws.
“We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before,” Trump said, while also making unfounded claims about immigrants and crime. These polarizing policies have sparked national debate, with opponents questioning their legality and ethical implications.
Trump’s approach to immigration is expected to face significant legal and logistical challenges that could shape the course of his second term.
