The Trump administration has swiftly implemented a series of sweeping immigration policy changes, marking a dramatic shift in enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border. On his first day in office, President Trump signed several executive orders, including declaring a national emergency over immigration, ending the catch-and-release policy, and abolishing birthright citizenship and the CBP One app. Additionally, Trump suspended foreign aid and refugee resettlements, signaling a hardline approach to immigration reform.
Border czar Tom Homan highlighted the immediate impact of these changes during an appearance on Fox News. Homan reported that on Trump’s first full day in office, ICE arrested 308 illegal migrants, some of whom were charged with crimes as severe as murder and child rape. He emphasized that ICE is focusing on threats to public safety, estimating that there are 700,000 individuals with criminal records currently at large in the United States. Despite challenges from sanctuary city policies, Homan assured the public that federal agents would continue to enforce the law, stating, “We’ll wait ’til they get out of jail, then we’ll go out into the neighborhoods and get them.”
Check out thise recent interview with Homan:
In another major move, the Department of Homeland Security announced the repeal of Biden-era policies that restricted ICE and CBP arrests in sensitive areas like schools and churches. A DHS spokesperson described the change as necessary for empowering law enforcement to ensure public safety, asserting that criminals could no longer use such locations as safe havens.
While the administration praised these measures as critical to restoring order, the policy shifts have sparked fear and concern among undocumented immigrants and advocates. Immigration attorney Tahmina Watson urged individuals to know their rights when approached by ICE, emphasizing the importance of requesting legal representation. “You have the right to ask for a lawyer,” she said, stressing the need for legal preparedness amidst the heightened enforcement.
Pastor Jan Bolerjack of Riverton Park United Methodist Church, who has long supported asylum seekers, criticized the policy changes, noting that her church has always complied with the law. “There are no criminals here,” Bolerjack said, adding that most of the migrants she aids are legally present while awaiting court trials. She emphasized the importance of protecting asylum seekers’ constitutional rights, highlighting the need for clarity and fairness in enforcement actions.
Homan reported a significant decline in border crossings under Trump’s new policies, with apprehensions at the southwest border dropping to 766 in a single day compared to the 10,000-12,000 seen during the Biden administration. Homan praised the rapid results, calling Trump “the greatest president in my lifetime” and emphasizing that ICE effectively prioritizes public safety under the new directives.
The dramatic overhaul underscores the administration’s intent to tighten border security and enforce immigration laws aggressively. While supporters hail these measures as long overdue, critics worry about the human and legal implications, calling for greater oversight to ensure fairness and protection for vulnerable populations.