Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Five Significant Changes to Immigration Policies Under Trump (so far)

Five Significant Changes to Immigration Policies Under Trump (so far)

President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders at the White House on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Jabin Botsford /The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Less than a week after assuming office, President Donald Trump launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing undocumented migration in the United States.

Key officials from the Trump administration, including "border czar" Tom Homan and the acting deputy attorney general, visited Chicago on Sunday to oversee the commencement of intensified immigration enforcement in the city. Specific details regarding the operation, such as the number of arrests made, were not disclosed at that time.


“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and the U.S. Marshals Service, began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities,” the statement reads.

On the same day, Trump imposed tariffs and visa restrictions on Colombia after President Gustavo Petro declined to allow two U.S. military aircraft to land while transporting migrants being deported under the new immigration policies.

President Petro criticized this approach, arguing that it unfairly criminalizes migrants. He stated on social media platform X that Colombia would facilitate the return of deported migrants via civilian flights.

"The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals," Petro wrote.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

Additionally, Mexico also declined a request last week for a U.S. military aircraft to land with migrants. However, Trump did not impose similar measures against Mexico, the U.S.'s largest trading partner.

Below is a summary of five other notable immigration-related actions taken by Trump during his first week back in office.

The Chihuahua State Police, in cooperation with the U.S. Border Patrol, conduct a joint operation to prevent illegal border crossings in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on January 24, 2025. (Photo by David Peinado/Anadolu via Getty Images)

  1. Fortifying the US-Mexico border

Last week, the Pentagon announced the deployment of 1,500 active-duty troops at the southern US border. This is in addition to 2,500 active-duty personnel already there, officials said - marking a 60% increase in Army troops in the area.

The troops will fly helicopters to help Border Patrol agents with monitoring, said acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses. They will also help construct barriers to stop migrants from coming in.

January 2025, Mexico, Tijuana: Silvia Martinez and her daughter, both Salvadoran migrants, hug after learning that their appointment to apply for asylum in the US has been canceled. (Photo by Felix Marquez/picture alliance via Getty Images)

2. Halting the Processing of Migrants and Asylum Seekers

In an executive order, President Trump suspended the entry of all undocumented migrants into the United States, directing border patrol agents to deny entry without providing asylum hearings. Before this order, migrants arriving at the US border had the legal right to seek asylum.

hands using mobile phone appsGetty Images//Guido Maieth

3 . Canceling Existing Migrants' Appointments

A significant change that occurred shortly after Trump took office was the discontinuation of the CBP One smartphone app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments with US border patrol agents.

The app had been introduced by the Biden administration to help organize and streamline the entry process for migrants fleeing persecution. Following the app's removal, reports indicated that approximately 30,000 individuals were left stranded in Mexico, all of whom had previously scheduled appointments that were subsequently canceled.

Posters plastered in Little Village, a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, warn residents of ICE raids, emphasizing 'DON'T OPEN ICE! ICE OUT OF OUR COMMUNITIES!' on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

4. Expanding ICE Powers and Conducting Raids

Several of President Trump's executive orders aimed to enhance the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in apprehending and detaining undocumented migrants within the United States. One order rescinded a long-standing guideline that restricted immigration raids in "sensitive" locations, such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Another directive sought to broaden a program that permits ICE to delegate its immigration enforcement responsibilities to state and local law enforcement agencies.

U.S. standard certificate of live birth application form next to flag of USA. Birthright citizenship concept.Getty Images//Stock Photo

5. Ending Birthright Citizenship

Through an executive order, the Trump administration has sought to challenge the citizenship status of certain U.S.-born children of immigrants, a right protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. More than 20 states have initiated legal action to contest the order and defend this constitutional right. Additionally, a federal judge temporarily blocked the executive order, labeling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

These actions reflect a shift in the language and practices surrounding the United States ‘immigration system. The ultimate impact will likely depend on the ensuing political and legal developments. Experts suggest that immigration flows may decrease, and enforcement measures could become significantly stricter, potentially affecting the economy and other areas.

.Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and a board member of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, the parent organization of The Fulcrum. He is also the publisher of the Latino News Network.

Read More

Just the Facts: Courts’ Actions Against the Trump Administration

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department March 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty Images, Andrew Harnik

Just the Facts: Courts’ Actions Against the Trump Administration

The Fulcrum strives to approach news stories with an open mind and skepticism, striving to present our readers with a broad spectrum of viewpoints through diligent research and critical thinking. As best we can, we remove personal bias from our reporting and seek a variety of perspectives in both our news gathering and selection of opinion pieces. However, before our readers can analyze varying viewpoints, they must have the facts.

How many legal actions have been filed against the Trump administration since January 2025?

Keep ReadingShow less
Hands outside of bars.
Getty Images, stevanovicigor

Double Standard: Investing in Animal Redemption While Ignoring Human Rehabilitation

America and countries abroad have mastered the art of taming wild animals—training the most vicious killers, honing killer instincts, and even domesticating animals born for the hunt. Wild animals in this country receive extensive resources to facilitate their reintegration into society.

Americans spent more than $150 billion on their pets in 2024, with an estimated spending projection of $200 million by 2030. Millions of dollars are poured into shelters, rehabilitation programs, and veterinary care, as shown by industry statistics on animal welfare spending. Television ads and commercials plead for their adoption. Stray animal hotlines operate 24/7, ensuring immediate rescue services. Pet parks, relief stations in airports, and pageant shows showcase animals as celebrities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Close up of a judge hammering a gavel
Chris Collins/Getty Images

Congress Bill Spotlight: Impeaching Judges Who Rule Against Trump

The Fulcrum introduces Congress Bill Spotlight, a weekly report by Jesse Rifkin, focusing on the noteworthy legislation of the thousands introduced in Congress. Rifkin has written about Congress for years, and now he's dissecting the most interesting bills you need to know about, but that often don't get the right news coverage.

Federal judges have ruled against Trump on issues including immigrant deportations, transgender healthcare information, and Elon Musk’s DOGE. Should they be impeached?

Keep ReadingShow less
New Law Will Likely Harm Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence

A person's speech bubble being popped.

Getty Images, Malte Mueller

New Law Will Likely Harm Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence

A tragic death sparked national attention, turning into a call to strengthen immigration enforcement to enhance public safety. In response, the Laken Riley Act emerged as a significant piece of legislation in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. It purports to provide protection from crime but, in fact, could have an especially negative impact on survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The new law allows for the detention of individuals who lack legal status, even if they have only been arrested or charged with minor offenses like theft or burglary. Notably, conviction is not required. This blatantly undermines the fundamental principle of "innocent until proven guilty," eroding due process protections that keep innocent people from being incarcerated, separated from children and family, losing employment, and suffering mental and physical health consequences.

Keep ReadingShow less