Monday, Jan 20 marked the day Donald Trump was sworn into the presidential office for a second term. Since his arrival, President Trump has been rescinding previous executive orders and implementing his own. He has effectively established a framework that serves as a red carpet for his policy intentions over the next four years. So far his executive orders have addressed domestic energy, gender policy, TikTok and especially border security. However, Trump is facing a large amount of scrutiny for the harsh manner in which he is handling these policy changes and should strive to look into the validity of these criticisms and adapt his strategies to reflect a more compassionate approach.
Past Actions, Previous Reception and the Current Political Climate
Americans are divided by their expectations for Trump’s second term. However, there is consistency in a key area: 68% of adults believe President Trump will successfully control illegal immigration. That number has increased since 2016, when 59% of Americans believed that Trump would prevent illegal immigration, a number that has since risen 9 full points.
From the start of his 2024 campaign, Trump made his immigration agenda clear. He would keep people out, while also finding and deporting illegal immigrants. From a conservative perspective, strict immigration will support American workers by alleviating economic strain. Additionally, it will preserve the value of American citizenship and maintain American culture. Trump has begun to implement his policy through his recent executive orders, while understanding that lawsuits will be a part of the process.
Key Executive Orders
At this early point in the administration, there are approximately thirteen executive orders that aggressively target immigration and multiple parties have already expressed their opinions. Three executive orders are especially worth noting:
This order reversed Biden’s enforcement priorities, by getting rid of programs which included restoring the legal immigration system, reunifying families separated under Trump, resettling refugees, and managing migration with other countries’ governments.
The order will attempt to prohibit the issue of citizenship documentation to a child born in the U.S. according to the two standards:
The first is if the mother was unlawfully present in the country and the child’s father was not a citizen/lawful permanent resident when the child was born. Secondly, when the mother’s presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the child’s father was not a citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of birth.
This order seeks to rescind birthright citizenship that is protected under the 14th amendment. It will impact the children of undocumented parents, as well as the children of parents who are in lawful nonimmigrant status.
The order reinstates the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico,” requiring individuals to wait in Mexico for their immigration court hearings. It discontinues the CBP One app, terminates what it describes as “categorical” humanitarian parole programs introduced under the Biden administration, and ends parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV). Additionally, the order ends the practice of “catch-and-release” a practice that involves releasing individuals apprehended at the border into the U.S. while awaiting court hearings. Ending catch-and-release will restrict officers’ discretion to decide whether detention is necessary, mandating detention for everyone apprehended at the border, including families, regardless of case-by-case circumstances. As a result, detention facilities are expected to reach capacity quickly.
Political Reactions
A January 2025, Wall Street Journal poll concluded that 64% to 31% of voters oppose ending birthright citizenship. This shows that the public does not support mass deportations. Instead, policy should support orderly and measured approaches that protect longtime undocumented residents from removal without causing fear and disruption in local communities. This should include investing into legal resources for immigrants and retaining birthright citizenship protected under the 14th amendment. Adopting this policy would enhance the administration’s favorability while aligning with the people’s interests, a fundamental democratic value.
Conclusion
Trump’s return marks a significant alteration of U.S. immigration policy and his slew of early actions indicate a distinctive intent to tighten border control and redefine the meaning of citizenship. The division among Americans on immigration policy reflects the complexity of the subject. Some prefer stricter measures as necessary for national security and economic stability, while others criticize them as harmful to families, local communities, and the nation’s global reputation. However, the collective backlash against ending birthright citizenship and mass deportations suggests that many Americans prefer solutions that balance enforcement with compassion and practicality. Prioritizing measures that protect long standing community members is critical.
