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What are President Trump’s Immigration Executive Actions? What should I know about Presidential Actions on Immigration?

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash. The Trump Administration has initiated a number of executive actions related to immigration. This post summarizes some key points and provides recommendations for immigrants, their families and employers. We will be updating this page frequently with information about the executive actions as it relates to immigration.

  1. PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND OTHER

    NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS.

    • What is this about? President Trump signed an executive order to further enhance the vetting and screening processes across agencies all relevant federal agencies for purposes of visa issuance.

    • What should I know? Expect for visa issuance and related processes to take longer as new and enhanced vetting procedures are implemented. It is also likely that naturalization, adjustment of status and change of status applications may be delayed as well.

  2. REALIGNING THE UNITED STATES REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM.

    • What is this about? This executive order, in conjunction with other actions, suspends the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program (USRAP) effective at 12:01 am eastern standard time on January 27, 2025.

    • What should I know? Applications for refugee status (those seeking status/protection from outside the United States) are currently on hold. However, refugees may be admitted on a case-by-case basis if they can show that their entry is in the national interest and that they don’t pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States. The program may be resumed in 90 days after a recommendation from the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

  3. AMERICA FIRST TRADE POLICY.

    • What is this about? This executive action, among others, calls on the U.S. Trade Representative to commence public consultations ahead of the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and assess the impact of the USMCA on American workers, farmers, ranchers, service providers, and other businesses.

    • What should I know? The USMCA is the treaty that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Under the treaty, Canadian and Mexican professionals are admitted into the United States as USMCA Professionals (TN Professionals) to work in the United States in prearranged, professional level, business activities for U.S. or foreign employers. If you’re entering the U.S. under this provision, make sure that your job documentation shows that your work will advance this trade policy and that you’re not taking jobs away from Americans.

  4. PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.

    • What is this about? This order restricts citizenship for persons born from a mother who was unlawfully present in the U.S. and the father was not a U.S. citizen or LPR at the time of said person’s birth, or when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States at the time of said person’s birth was lawful but temporary (such as, but not limited to, visiting the United States under the auspices of the Visa Waiver Program or visiting on a student, work, or tourist visa) and the father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth.

    • What should I know? This executive action ends birthright citizenship for those infants who: (1) are born on or after February 19, 2025; and (2) do not have at least one parent who is either a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) status and/or U.S. citizenship at the time of their birth. This impacts only infants born at least thirty days from January 20, 2025, and does not apply retroactively.

  5. SECURING OUR BORDERS.

    • What is this about? This Executive Order ends the previous administration’s catch-and-release policies which have undermined the rule of law and sovereignty, created substantial risks to public safety and security, and diverted critical resources away from stopping the entry of contraband and fugitives into the United States.  

    • What should I know? This Executive Order calls for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) to enact specific measures, including physical barriers; increased border personnel; expanded detention; Remain in Mexico policies; ceasing use of CBP One; terminating parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans; DNA and ID requirements; increased prosecutions of border-related crimes; and more.

  6. PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION.

    • What is this about? This Executive Order revokes the previous administration’s proclamations on enforcement, border processing, and family reunification, among others, and prompts for actions related to interior enforcement, removal, expedited removal, detention, NGO funding, federal-state agreements, civil fines, visa bonds, public benefits, etc.

    • What should I know? The order calls for agencies to prioritize the prosecution of those who commit crimes in the United States, particularly those related to human trafficking and smuggling of children and those who enter without authorization. It also calls for the registration of undocumented immigrants. It also deputizes state law enforcement to implement and enact immigration enforcement priorities and de-funds so-called “Sanctuary Cities.”

  7. USCIS WAIVES COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICANTS.

    • What is this about? Effective Jan. 22, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

    • What should I know? USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant’s failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

  8. DHS ISSUES GUIDANCE ON HOW TO EXERCISE ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION.

    • What is this about? This provides guidance from Acting Secretary, Benjamine C. Huffman to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and USCIS on how to exercise discretion in light of the current administration’s policies.

    • What should I know? This directs ICE, CBP and USCIS to implement actions such as expedited removal and whether parolees’ status may be paused, modified or terminated, and to determine whether removal proceedings are appropriate.

Stay tuned as we monitor these and other developments. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tumblr, for up-to-date immigration news and to keep updated.

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