President Donald Trump has wasted no time in implementing his immigration policies, swiftly moving forward with aggressive actions. These actions include the shutdown of a critical asylum processing tool, blocking thousands of refugees who had approval to enter the US, and a threat to prosecute state and local officials who resist the crackdown.
While immigration raids are anticipated, local officials in several cities have not reported large-scale actions taking place thus far.
Deportation plans were set in motion on Monday when Trump signed executive orders granting the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency more freedom to conduct enforcement actions in sensitive areas. These orders also expanded the pool of undocumented immigrants subject to fast-track deportation and aimed to end birthright citizenship, a move that has faced opposition from constitutional experts and Democratic-led states and cities.
Before Trump's inauguration, migrants seeking asylum had the option to schedule an appointment at a legal US port of entry to present their case. However, the US immigration processing app known as CBP One, which facilitated asylum request appointments at the US-Mexico border, was shut down immediately after Trump took office. This has left thousands of migrants in limbo and effectively sealed off the border to asylum seekers.
Refugees who had gone through a lengthy process to travel to the United States have had their flights canceled, as per a State Department memo to resettlement partners. Approximately 10,000 refugees had their travel plans canceled, leaving them in uncertainty.
A new Justice Department memo reveals the administration's intention to challenge sanctuary city laws by threatening to prosecute state and local officials who resist the federal immigration crackdown. The memo also states that federal prosecutors who decline to pursue these cases will be reported to the Justice Department for potential investigation and prosecution.
Mexico is also preparing for potential impacts, with the country's Foreign Minister discussing security and migration with the new US Secretary of State during a recent phone call. Details of the conversation were not disclosed.
