Immigration policies constantly change as political situations evolve. Immigrants, those with loved ones living abroad and those hoping to enter the United States need to be aware of current immigration policies and potential future changes.
After the recent presidential election, many people have questions about how Donald Trump’s second presidency may affect immigration opportunities. What are the proposed immigration policies that Donald Trump included in his campaign, and what impact could they have on immigrants?
Domestic enforcement appears to be the priority
Trump’s first campaign and term in office involved a lot of focus on the construction of a wall along the southern border of the United States. Proposed policies for his second term seem to focus more on the enforcement of existing rules and the removal of undocumented immigrants. There already appear to be plans in place to expand domestic detention facilities where people stay while waiting for court hearings related to their removal.
The Trump administration also promises a return of the “remain in Mexico” policy. This rule required that immigrants from Central and South America seeking asylum in the United States wait in Mexico for official determinations about their requests. There also appear to be preliminary efforts underway to revise the restrictions on asylum seekers.
Those already in the United States may face additional scrutiny, especially if they are undocumented. Policy promises have included plans to detain potentially undocumented immigrants and remove those who may have entered the country without following the right procedures. Many political analysts expect certain changes to occur almost immediately via executive orders.
There are also promises to review naturalization records and denaturalize those who committed fraud to secure citizenship. Denaturalization involves taking legal action against those who fraudulently complete naturalization. Misrepresenting personal circumstances, such as lying about the nature of a marital relationship, could eventually result in denaturalization efforts. Naturalized citizens could be vulnerable to removal if federal authorities can establish that they lied to obtain their citizenship.
Discussing the impact that changing immigration policies can have on immigration opportunities may be beneficial for immigrants who are living in the United States or are seeking to enter the country. Many immigrants who intend to pursue careers or join family members may still have access to programs that help them lawfully enter the United States.