President Donald Trump wasted no time in implementing his immigration agenda during his first week in office, signing a series of executive actions that have had significant impacts both domestically and internationally. These actions have led to the cancellation of incoming refugee flights, deployment of troops to the border, and expanded powers for federal authorities to arrest individuals near sensitive locations like schools and churches.
One immediate consequence of these actions has been an increase in US-bound migrants, with approximately 300 migrants arriving in the northeast Mexican border state of Tamaulipas since Trump's inauguration. Many of these migrants had hoped to cross into the US legally, only to find their appointments canceled, leading to a surge in arrivals from southern Mexico, Haiti, Venezuela, and Central America.
Juan José Rodríguez, director of the Institute for Migrants of Tamaulipas, highlighted the challenges faced by these migrants, stating that while there is hope, the focus is on providing shelter and humanitarian support as they navigate their next steps. Despite the changes, deportations have remained steady at around 150 people per day, similar to rates under the previous administration.
In a new directive issued by Benjamine Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement agencies under the Justice Department, including the FBI and DEA, have been granted expanded authority to investigate and arrest undocumented immigrants in the US. This directive marks a significant shift in enforcement priorities.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has also entered the fray, requesting reimbursement from the federal government for over $11.1 billion spent by Texas taxpayers on border security due to what he perceives as the Biden Administration's failure to address the issue over the past four years.
Furthermore, Trump engaged in discussions with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, focusing on immigration and transnational gang activities. The leaders emphasized the need for bilateral cooperation to tackle illegal immigration and combat the influence of gangs like the Tren de Aragua, with Trump commending Bukele for his leadership in the region.
