Since January 20th, 2025, President Donald Trump passed a set of immigration policies that will affect millions of immigrants across the country. Trump’s policies make the removal process of immigrants easier, and they allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport people who are not able to prove that they have been United States residents for more than two years.
The administration also brought back the “Remain in Mexico” policy. This policy requires immigrants currently waiting for their claims to be processed to wait in Mexico instead of in the United States. Additionally, the policies cause stricter penalties for undocumented immigrants who decide to re-enter the U.S. after previously being deported. The penalties include higher fines, imprisonment, and permanent bars from reentry. One of the most controversial policies includes the use of an old law, the “1798 Alien Enemies Act”, to deport immigrants accused of being gang-affiliated without a fair trial.
Due to Trump’s policies, 530,000 immigrants, who were previously protected under humanitarian parole programs, have been stripped of their legal status. Effects can also be seen across the country through raids and deportations, which are especially common in cities along the southern border that are meant to be safe havens for immigrants. A notable figure who both addresses and is publicly against these policies is Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who strongly defends Mexico’s sovereignty and criticizes the U.S. for failing to address its very own drug problem. Sheinbaum rejects the Trump administration’s allegations of the Mexican government being tied to organized crime within the United States. Although her views against President Trump’s policies are extremely clear, President Sheinbaum has shown a willingness to negotiate. This may be caused by President Trump’s threats to impose a high 25% additional tariff on Mexican goods. Regardless of the reason, President Sheinbaum’s actions towards resolutions indicate a good future should the Trump Administration give her a chance and focus on resolutions rather than conflicts.
Many mixed-status families, where some members are citizens and others are undocumented, now live in constant fear of being separated. Parents are being detained while dropping their kids off at school, and many communities are uncertain and worried about their future. The mass deportations have also caused economic instability, as many businesses, especially in agriculture and construction, depend on immigrant workers.
Trump’s policies have an impact on immigrant families across America, considering how much immigrants have contributed to the United States economy and society. Certain industries rely heavily on immigrants. Such as the agricultural industry where roughly 42 to 44 percent of the workforce is made of illegal immigrants as reported by the USDA Economic Research Service. These workers are why many of the U.S. crops are harvested and processed, so without immigrants working these hard labor jobs, the country would have serious problems in maintaining a stable food supply. While agriculture is a significant part of the country’s foundation, there are still plenty of other industries that would be severely harmed should these policies remove undocumented immigrants from their workforce. Plenty of blue-collar jobs are noteworthy for having undocumented individuals, yet these careers are always respected and even admired among Americans; they provide us with essentials like construction, plumbing, electricity, welding, and automobile services. Services that could heavily impact America should they lose a large majority of their workforce.
Trump’s policies resulted in nationwide protests; as those who disagreed with the policies of the President took the initiative and used their First Amendment rights towards something extremely important to themselves. On February 2nd, 2025, in Los Angeles, protesters carried signs that read, “Nobody is illegal,” and “Viva Mexico, ” on the 101 Freeway. This protest was by far the largest, as protestors continued until 8 PM, even shutting down the freeway entirely. On February 3rd, 2025, thousands of people gathered in New York City’s Times Square. Protesters demanded the repeal of Trump’s unhumanitarian policies and just 3 days later, in Washington D.C. where protesters marched to the White House on February 6th, 2025. Other similarly significant protests took place in Houston, San Francisco, and Miami; all demonstrating a nationwide resistance towards these new harmful policies. These are only a few of the many protests happening nationwide, and there seems to be no end to it. Across the United States, workers will continue to go on strike, students will continue to walk out of class, and activists will continue to call to action as they form a resistance against the Trump Administration’s authoritarian policies.
Immigrants who are at risk of possibly being deported should understand their legal rights and how to avoid interaction with I.C.E. Many organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union provide legal resources and emergency hotlines; working to protect immigrants’ civil rights by informing the community on what to do when they are stopped by I.C.E. Immigrant families should make safety plans, not share information with ICE unless they have a warrant, and get legal help if they are worried about getting deported.
Sadly, Trump’s policies are not the first time America has witnessed mass deportation, as during the 1950s, “Operation Wetback” was introduced by U.S. Attorney General Herbert Brownell. Around 1.3 million people including legal Mexican-Americans were picked up in the United States, where they had jobs, families, and homes, then left in cities where they didn’t know anyone. This was the largest deportation in American history, but as of today, it is expected around 10,000 people a week are getting deported under Trump’s administration. Trump’s immigration policies are separating families apart and causing fear in communities that have contributed so much to this country.
America is built upon the hard work of immigrants who simply want their chance at “The American Dream”, and we must recognize and work on protecting and appreciating their influence and contribution.
