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Trump’s Expanded Immigration Crackdown: Who’s at Risk Now?

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The Trump administration’s immigration policies, spanning both terms, have ushered in a profound transformation in U.S. enforcement priorities, casting a shadow of increased anxiety and uncertainty over millions of immigrants, both documented and undocumented.

Unlike previous administrations, which primarily targeted individuals with serious criminal records for deportation, the Trump administration has consistently expanded its enforcement scope to encompass a wide array of individuals, including those with minor infractions or no criminal history at all. This shift has placed DACA recipients, asylum seekers, and even those with Temporary Protected Status at heightened risk of deportation.

A New Approach to Immigration Enforcement: Trump’s First Term

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One of the key policy shifts under the Trump administration was the expansion of enforcement priorities outlined in a 2017 executive order titled “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States.” This directive removed the Obama-era guidelines that focused primarily on deporting individuals convicted of violent crimes or posing national security threats. Instead, the new order included anyone who had violated immigration laws, regardless of whether they had committed other offenses.

This expanded scope put many more immigrants at risk of deportation. Even those with no criminal history or minor infractions, such as traffic violations, became targets for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Trump Immigration Policies 2.0

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In recent developments, the Trump administration has continued to intensify its immigration enforcement efforts. One significant change involves the reversal of policies that previously restricted ICE operations in sensitive locations like schools, churches, and hospitals. This shift allows ICE to conduct arrests in these areas, which had been largely off-limits due to concerns about disrupting essential services and community safety. The administration argues that this change is necessary to ensure that no one can “hide” in these locations to avoid arrest, but critics contend it will instill fear and deter migrants from accessing vital services like healthcare and education.

Additionally, Trump’s immigration policies have included the expansion of expedited removals, which can now be applied nationwide to undocumented migrants who cannot prove they have been in the U.S. for more than two years. This process allows for rapid deportations without a hearing before an immigration judge, further streamlining the deportation process. The administration has also emphasized the use of military resources for deportations and has proposed significant changes to asylum and refugee policies, aiming to limit humanitarian entries into the U.S.. These measures are part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and fulfill campaign promises of increased enforcement and mass deportations.

Categories of People Most at Risk

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Let’s look at who is at risk.

1. Undocumented Immigrants

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Undocumented immigrants—estimated at over 10 million people in the U.S.—are particularly vulnerable. Under the Trump administration, ICE agents are instructed to prioritize anyone found to be in the country illegally, regardless of whether they had a criminal record. Routine encounters, such as workplace raids, traffic stops, or court appearances, become potential avenues for detention and deportation.

2. DACA Recipients

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Recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, often referred to as “Dreamers,” faces heightened risks. While the program provided temporary protection from deportation and work permits for certain young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, the Trump administration sought to terminate DACA in 2017.

As of today, DACA recipients continue to face uncertainty under the Trump administration. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that DACA is unlawful but limited the scope of the ruling to Texas and stayed the decision, meaning that current DACA recipients can still renew their status, but no new applications are being processed. Despite this legal limbo, Trump has expressed willingness to work with Democrats on a plan for Dreamers, though his administration has historically been hostile to DACA.

In his second term, Trump has focused on broader immigration enforcement, including executive orders aimed at enhancing border security and restricting asylum pathways. However, DACA has not been explicitly targeted in these initial actions, though the program’s future remains precarious due to ongoing legal challenges and the administration’s stance on immigration. Advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, as the current protections are temporary and subject to legal and political fluctuations.

3. Individuals With Final Deportation Orders

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Approximately one million people in the U.S. had final deportation orders but had not been actively pursued for removal under prior administrations. The Trump administration made a concerted effort in his first administration to enforce these orders, often targeting individuals who had lived in the country for years without incident.

4. Immigrants With Minor Offenses

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While previous administrations focused on deporting those convicted of serious crimes, the Trump administration cast a wider net. Immigrants with minor infractions, such as driving without a license, unpaid parking tickets, or other misdemeanors, found themselves in ICE’s crosshairs. This shift contributes to a sense of vulnerability even among immigrants who had previously felt relatively secure.

5. Asylum Seekers

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Asylum seekers faced heightened scrutiny under Trump-era policies. The administration implemented measures to deter asylum applications, such as the “Remain in Mexico” program, which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their cases to be processed. Additionally, changes to credible fear interview standards and restrictions on eligibility for asylum created significant hurdles for those fleeing persecution.

Under President Trump’s current immigration policies, asylum seekers face significant challenges. Recently, Trump issued an executive order effectively suspending asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border, declaring the situation an “invasion” and invoking a provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to bar entry to asylum seekers. This move has been met with legal challenges, with the ACLU and other advocacy groups suing the administration over the ban, arguing it is unconstitutional and ignores protections established by Congress.

Additionally, the Trump administration has reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. court hearings. The administration has also eliminated the use of the CBP One app for scheduling asylum appointments at ports of entry, stranding thousands of people on the Mexican side of the border. These policies are part of a broader effort to restrict asylum and immigration, with critics arguing they violate international and U.S. law by denying individuals the right to seek asylum.

6. Immigrants Accessing Public Benefits

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The Trump administration’s “public charge” rule penalized immigrants who used public benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, or housing assistance. While this rule primarily affected individuals applying for green cards or visas, it also created fear among immigrant communities. Many avoided public benefits altogether, worried that their participation could lead to deportation or disqualify them from future legal status.

The Biden administration had reverted to pre-2019 guidelines, focusing only on cash assistance and long-term institutional care in public charge determinations. However, if Trump were to reinstate his administration’s expanded rule, it could again include non-cash benefits like Medicaid in these assessments. As of now, the current rule under the Biden administration’s finalization in December 2022 remains in effect, but Trump could potentially change this if he chooses to revisit the policy.

7. Immigrants Arrested During Workplace Raids

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Workplace raids became a hallmark of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy during his first term. These raids targeted employers suspected of hiring undocumented workers but also led to the arrest of thousands of employees. Such actions disrupted families and communities, further increasing the perception that no undocumented immigrant was safe from enforcement.

As of January 21, 2025, under the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has resumed conducting workplace raids as part of a broader effort to enhance immigration enforcement. These operations are part of a nationwide initiative aimed at bolstering ICE’s resources and fulfilling President Trump’s commitment to mass deportations. ICE agents have been granted expanded authority to conduct raids, particularly in industries known to employ undocumented workers, such as manufacturing, food processing, and construction.

Recent incidents, including a raid in Newark, New Jersey, highlight the increased activity. Employers are advised to prepare for potential visits by having a plan in place, ensuring compliance with immigration laws, and understanding their rights and responsibilities during an ICE raid. While there has been no significant increase in raids across the country yet, the administration’s emphasis on immigration enforcement suggests that more operations are likely to occur in the coming months.

Policy Tools and Enforcement Tactics

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How will all of this roll out?

Increased Use of ICE Detainers

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ICE detainers, or requests for local law enforcement to hold individuals suspected of immigration violations, became a critical tool under the Trump administration. While some jurisdictions complied with these requests, others, known as “sanctuary cities,” resisted. This resistance led to clashes between local governments and federal immigration authorities during his first term and promise to again during his second.

Expansion of 287(g) Agreements

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The Trump administration expanded the use of 287(g) agreements during his first term, which deputize local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents. These agreements allowed for increased collaboration between ICE and local police, resulting in more arrests and deportations.

Under the current Trump administration, the 287(g) agreements have been expanded to enhance immigration enforcement. These agreements, authorized by Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allow state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with federal immigration authorities to enforce immigration laws.

As of January 2025, President Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand these agreements “to the maximum extent permitted by law,” empowering local law enforcement to target immigrants more effectively.

In Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton has signed an agreement with the Trump administration, becoming the first Texas law enforcement entity to formally assist in immigration enforcement efforts during Trump’s second term. This move encourages other state and local agencies to follow suit, potentially increasing the number of 287(g) agreements nationwide. The expansion of these agreements is part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and immigration enforcement, which critics argue could lead to increased racial profiling and strain community relations.

Removal of Protected Classes

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The first Trump administration ended policies that protected certain groups from deportation, such as the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters. This decision affected hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom had lived in the U.S. for decades.

As of February 2025, the Trump administration has taken significant steps regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Recently, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated TPS for approximately 348,000 Venezuelans who received protections in 2023. This decision means that their temporary status will expire in April 2025, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and loss of work permits. 

The administration justified this move by stating that conditions in Venezuela have improved sufficiently to no longer warrant TPS, despite ongoing political and economic crises.

Additionally, President Trump has ordered a review of all TPS designations made under the Biden administration, indicating a broader intent to limit or revoke protections for other countries as well. This approach aligns with Trump’s previous efforts to restrict TPS during his first term, which were often challenged in court. The future of TPS remains uncertain, with potential legal challenges and ongoing political debates surrounding its use and scope.

Targeting Sensitive Locations

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While ICE traditionally avoided enforcement actions in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, reports emerged of increased enforcement in these areas during the Trump administration. This policy change by the Trump administration allows immigration enforcement officers to arrest migrants at sensitive locations such as schools and churches.

This move reverses long-standing guidance that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from conducting enforcement operations in these areas. The previous policies, in place since 2011 for ICE and 2013 for CBP, required officers to obtain approval before conducting operations at sensitive sites.

The Trump administration’s decision aims to fulfill campaign promises of increased immigration enforcement and mass deportations, despite concerns from advocates that it could deter migrants from accessing essential services like healthcare and education

Consequences of Increased Deportations

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The consequences are dire.

Impact on Families

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Many deportations resulted in the separation of families, leaving children—often U.S. citizens—without one or both parents. These separations cause emotional and financial hardship, with long-term consequences for children’s mental health and stability.

Economic Effects

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Deportations also have economic implications. Immigrants make up a significant portion of the U.S. workforce, particularly in industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. The removal of workers disrupt businesses and local economies, creating labor shortages in some areas.

Over the past three weeks, the Trump administration’s immigration policies have significantly impacted the agricultural labor force in the U.S. The aggressive enforcement actions, including mass deportations and increased raids, have created a climate of fear among undocumented farmworkers, leading to labor shortages and disruptions in the agricultural supply chain. This is particularly concerning in states like California and Texas, where a substantial portion of farmworkers lack legal status—estimated at around 50-70% in California and 40% nationwide.

Recent immigration raids in California have resulted in detentions and heightened anxiety among farmworkers, causing many to avoid work or keep their children home from school4. This has immediate implications for agricultural productivity and could lead to increased food prices due to labor shortages and potential crop losses. The administration’s focus on deporting undocumented workers, even those without criminal records, exacerbates these challenges.

Despite these challenges, the H-2A visa program, which allows temporary agricultural workers, remains in place and is seen as a potential solution for addressing labor shortages. However, its effectiveness is limited by bureaucratic hurdles and high costs, making it difficult for many farms to utilize effectively. As a result, agricultural leaders are calling for reforms to ensure a stable and legal workforce, emphasizing the critical role immigrants play in sustaining U.S. agriculture.

Fear and Distrust

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The expanded enforcement policies eroded trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Fear of deportation led many individuals to avoid reporting crimes, seeking medical care, or participating in civic activities, further isolating vulnerable populations.

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The Trump administration’s immigration policies faced widespread criticism from advocacy groups, legal experts, and some political leaders. Critics argued that these policies prioritized punitive measures over humane solutions, undermining America’s reputation as a nation of immigrants.

During his last term, numerous legal challenges were filed to block specific policies, including the termination of DACA, the public charge rule, and the “Remain in Mexico” program. While some court rulings temporarily halted these measures, the constant legal battles created uncertainty and stress for affected individuals.

Over the past three weeks, several legal challenges have been brought against the Trump administration’s latest immigration policies:

  1. Asylum Ban Lawsuit: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other immigrant advocacy groups have filed lawsuits challenging President Trump’s executive order effectively shutting down the U.S. asylum system. The lawsuits argue that this move violates U.S. law and international treaty obligations, as it prevents asylum seekers from requesting protection and allows for their swift deportation without a hearing.
  2. Birthright Citizenship Challenge: More than 20 states have sued the Trump administration over an executive order seeking to eliminate birthright citizenship, which is protected under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit claims that Trump’s initiative is unconstitutional and undermines a fundamental right.
  3. Immigration Enforcement and Expedited Removal: Civil rights and religious groups have sued to block Trump administration policies aimed at ramping up deportations and curtailing legal migration channels. These challenges include opposition to the expansion of expedited removal processes, which could lead to rapid deportations without court hearings.

These legal actions reflect ongoing efforts by advocacy groups and state governments to challenge the legality and constitutionality of Trump’s immigration policies.

Conclusion

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Under both of President Trump’s administrations, the landscape of immigration enforcement has been marked by drastic shifts, placing millions of immigrants at heightened risk of deportation and exacerbating a climate of fear and uncertainty. From undocumented individuals and DACA recipients to those with minor offenses or asylum seekers, the broad and often draconian scope of enforcement policies has had a profoundly damaging impact on communities across the United States.

The relentless pursuit of aggressive immigration policies has not only disrupted critical industries like agriculture but has also eroded trust in law enforcement and undermined the very fabric of American society by denying vulnerable individuals the right to seek safety and protection.

As the nation continues to grapple with the profound consequences of these policies, it is imperative to recognize the urgent need for a fundamentally different approach. Addressing immigration challenges with fairness, compassion, and pragmatism is not merely a moral imperative but a necessity for shaping a more inclusive and just future for all. The ongoing suffering and instability caused by these policies demand immediate attention and reform, lest the United States abandon its founding principles of justice, equality, and humanity.

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