Republican former President Donald Trump, seeking a return to the White House in the 2024 election, has laid out a bold and controversial immigration agenda. His plan promises a dramatic shift in immigration policy, focusing on stricter border security, mass deportations, and restrictions on legal immigration.
Border Enforcement: A Return to Past Strategies
Trump has pledged to restore his controversial ‘remain in Mexico’ policy, which forced asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases were processed. This policy, terminated by President Biden, aimed to deter illegal border crossings. He also intends to reinstate the Title 42 policy, which allowed for the expedited expulsion of migrants without the chance to seek asylum, citing national security concerns related to record border crossings and fentanyl trafficking.
Trump intends to implement a zero-tolerance policy toward illegal border crossings, ending ‘catch and release’ practices and detaining all migrants apprehended at the border. To bolster border security, he has promised to increase the Border Patrol force by 10,000 agents and complete the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also expressed plans to impose tariffs on countries that fail to stem the flow of migrants to the U.S. border.
Mass Deportation: A Controversial Measure
Trump has pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, targeting criminal immigrants but aiming to send millions back to their home countries. He has not ruled out building new detention facilities and plans to utilize the National Guard and potentially even federal troops for deportation operations. Trump has also proposed using the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants with criminal records and suspected gang members. His plan includes the controversial measure of seeking the death penalty for migrants who kill U.S. citizens or law enforcement officers.
Travel Bans: Expanding Restrictions
Trump has stated his intention to implement travel bans on people from certain countries or with certain ideologies, expanding on his previous travel ban upheld by the Supreme Court. He has outlined potential targets, including the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, citing national security concerns. He has also expressed a willingness to restrict entry for those who support Hamas or hold communist, Marxist, and socialist ideologies.
Legal Immigration: Shifting Priorities
Trump has proposed ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, a move that could face significant legal challenges. He intends to reduce refugee admissions and promote a ‘merit-based’ immigration system, prioritizing skilled workers and those who share ‘American values.’ He has criticized Biden’s efforts to expand legal immigration pathways, including those for spouses of U.S. citizens. While acknowledging the need for foreign students, Trump proposes granting green cards only to ‘thoroughly vetted’ graduates who won’t undercut American wages. He also aims to roll back temporary protected status programs for certain groups of immigrants.
Family Separation: A Contentious Issue
Trump has declined to rule out resuming his ‘zero tolerance’ policy, which led to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents in 2018. He has defended this practice, arguing that it deterred illegal migration. While Trump has refused to explicitly state his intent to reinstate family separation, some of his allies have expressed reservations. The Biden administration has sought to address this issue with a settlement agreement for separated families, aiming to prevent similar occurrences.
DACA: A Stalemate Continues
Trump previously attempted to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offers deportation relief and work permits to ‘Dreamer’ immigrants who arrived in the U.S. illegally as children. However, the Supreme Court blocked this effort. Trump has stated that he would not accept new DACA applications and plans to explore ways to end the program again.
Trump’s proposed immigration policies are likely to generate significant debate and legal challenges. They represent a stark contrast to Biden’s approach, which has focused on a more humane and orderly immigration system. The outcome of the 2024 election will determine whether Trump’s vision for immigration reform will be implemented.
