Immigration Policy in the 2nd Trump Presidency

President Trump’s first days in office were filled with a flurry of executive orders targeted not only the safety of our immigrant siblings, but the time-honored U.S. asylum and legal immigration process. Content, which is available at the links below, is accurate as of January 22, 2025.

NETWORK has categorized the Executive orders into four categories:

  1. The entering of refugees and people seeking asylum
  2. Birthright citizenship
  3. Rescinding earlier executive orders
  4. Enforcement, detention, and deportation  (This is the executive order category that most concerns NETWORK).

Below are summaries of the Enforcement, detention, and deportation executive orders. You can see more complete analysis on our sister site, networkadvocates.org.

EO action NETWORK analysis Known legal challenge
Expands expedited removal Expands Homeland Security (DHS) application of expedited removal, or the government’s power to quickly “remove” someone from the U.S. without due process. Previously, ICE and CBP were authorized to arrest and remove people within 100 miles of the border, within 14 days of their arrival. This EO allows for the deportation of any noncitizen found anywhere in the United States who cannot prove to the satisfaction of a U.S. ICE agent that they have been in the country for more than two years, unless they can prove credible fear of persecution. Expedited removal is being enforced immediately, but there are no reports of arrests as of Jan. 23. ACLU filed suit. No hearing set.
Freezes funding for NGOs Paused federal funding to organizations that support immigrants in “any way.” The Administration directed an immediate review and audit of all contracts with such organizations and will terminate any contract if found guilty of “fraud.” This would impact faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities and Annunciation House. Effective immediately, many organization’s funds have been suspended. However, we have yet to hear of organizations being asked to provide documentation or dates for audit.
Criminalizes aid Organizations and individuals who support or shelter immigrants may be held criminally liable for supporting “invasion.” Not in effect immediately.
Increases funds for U.S. detention centers No impact immediately.
Designates cartels as terrorist groups This could impact churches and faith leaders who work with immigrants across the border and who cross the border to work with immigrants in Mexico. This is effective immediately but there is no impact as of Jan. 24.
Allows ICE and CBP officers into sensitive and sacred locations The Trump administration rescinded the Sensitive Locations Memo, which for many years protected churches, hospitals, and schools from invasion by ICE and CBP officers seeking to arrest undocumented people. This is effective immediately. We have not heard reports of any arrests or raids except for instances of ICE “visiting” churches–not for prayerful purposes, and making no arrests. NETWORK has Know Your Rights guidance for Immigrants to help you know what to do if ICE or CBP approach. Filed. No hearing set
Allows ICE and CPB in judicial areas The Judicial Locations memo was rescinded, ending the policy of keeping public spaces inside or outside courtrooms free of ICE and CBP. Now, all judicial areas, except judicial chambers, are subject to ICE or CBP activity. Effective immediately. No impact reports yet.
Ends sanctuary cities The federal government will now condition state and city funding on their cooperation with ICE and CBP. This is effective immediately, but the impact will be felt later when funding cycles come up or if there is a natural disaster. No litigation yet.

You can see  more at our sister site, Network Advocates

Everyone in the U.S. has Constitutional rights, including including immigrants, with or without a document status. It is important that all of understand your rights if you are approached by law enforcement. NETWORK has created Know Your Rights one-pagers for this purpose. Click to download:

Know Your Rights for Immigrants – Bilingual One-pager
Know Your Rights for Immigrants – One Pager English
Conozca Sus Derechos – Half page Espanol
Know Your Rights for Immigrants – Half-pager English