Trump’s Day One Executive Orders on Immigration

Trump signs a series of executive orders. Avery Lotz, Axios

Within hours of taking office, President Donald Trump has signed 26 executive orders into existence, the largest number to be signed on a president’s Inauguration Day ever. Not only have these orders rescinded 78 previously implemented orders by the Biden administration, but they also have far-ranging effects, impacting an assortment of areas including foreign policy, social programs, immigration, the environment and energy, and criminal justice. 

Of these executive orders, eight are focused on immigration rights, refugee laws, and the situation along the US-Mexico border. Chief among these was his move to declare the crisis at the border a national emergency, allowing Trump to swiftly and easily redirect funds and deploy military troops into the area. To give this additional support, he also passed a second order “clarifying the military’s role” in national security, referring specifically and repeatedly to the borders and the military’s role in guarding against an invasion. In doing so, he grants the Secretary of Defense the power to mobilize thousands of troops to send to the border. 

In addition to executive orders focused on the southern border, Trump also passed an order regarding “protection from foreign terrorists,” introducing new criteria for screening across agencies for those trying to enter the country. Some of these new criteria include being screened to the “maximum degree,” requiring immense background information and identification requirements that many immigrants can’t provide.

Of the other five orders, three speak specifically on guarding against invasions, with one stating that Homeland Security Task Forces will be deployed in all states, and another saying entry immigration into the US has been halted until further notice. The third suspends the United States Refugee Admission Program (USRAP), eliminating the pathway for refugees to enter the country. Finally, a fourth ends birthright citizenship, meaning that even though someone might be born in the United States, that does not automatically make them a US citizen.

Along with all these executive orders, Trump also promised numerous times throughout his campaign to begin a “mass deportation” campaign targeting 1.4 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.. Local police and departments across the country have pushed back on these orders, saying they will not engage in harsh deportation raids. Yet when comparing the number of ICE arrests made over the past couple of months (283 in September 2024 versus 500 within Trump’s first three days in office), it appears that Trump’s plan is already in full swing. 

Worries remain high across the country surrounding these immigration orders, especially within families with children in school after Trump overturned the 2011 policy banning immigration arrests at schools. In cities such as Chicago, previously busy areas have significantly dropped in foot traffic, and general sentiment throughout the streets has shifted remarkably. Despite Trump’s short time in office, the effects of his actions have reverberated throughout the country, and his administration has made one thing clear: this is only the beginning.

United Kingdom: Why are the Conservatives pinning their electoral chances on the controversial ‘Rwanda Plan?’

Written by Luke Wagner; Edited by Chloe Baldauf

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pinned much of his conservative party’s electoral success on the passage of the controversial ‘Rwanda Safety Bill.’  After narrowly avoiding a far-right conservative rebellion in the House of Commons, the bill is next headed for a vote in the House of Lords where its fate is anything but certain. 

Sunak’s government has championed the Rwanda Plan as the solution to tamping down the country’s high immigration.  In 2022, the UK and Rwanda struck a deal to respond to a dramatic increase in refugees arriving in Britain from across the English Channel via small boats arranged by human trafficking gangs.   

The East African nation agreed to accept Britain’s illegal migrants and provide them “safe” asylum in exchange for £240 million with £50 million more to come.  However, many in the UK were not convinced.  In November 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that this agreement was unlawful because there was not sufficient protection against Rwanda’s government deporting migrants back to their countries of origin – which would breach international humanitarian law.   

Despite this legal setback, Rishi Sunak’s government vowed to move forward with the proposal while bringing it in accordance with UK and international law.  These changes are what had many far-right MPs prepared to revolt against the policy they deemed not forceful enough.  However, for the sake of party unity, those far-right members in the House of Commons backed down from their threats and voted for the bill. 

The bill now sits with the unelected House of Lords.  Their traditional role is to amend legislation passed by the elected House of Commons, however, since the Conservatives do not constitute a clear majority in the House of Lords, opposition members have suggested that they have the responsibility to block this legislation.  Lord Alex Carlile, a leading British barrister and independent member of the House of Lords, signaled his intention to oppose the bill that he called a “step towards totalitarianism.”  

Although it could feasibly be blocked, the tailwinds may be in favor of stricter immigration policy.   Earlier this month, polling revealed 64% of Brits believed that immigration rates are “too high” – the highest rate since YouGov began surveying this question in 2019.   

If Sunak is unable to offer up a viable solution to high immigration, his prime ministership may be at risk.  Another YouGov poll released this week has been causing anxiety amongst Tories who were predicted to lose their majority in the upcoming election to the Labour Party with the heaviest loss in parliamentary seats since 1997.  However, if the Labour Party is held responsible for the rejection of the bill in the House of Lords, their electoral chances could suffer alongside Sunak’s.   

All the while, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame said to reporters Thursday that his government is prepared to receive the migrants whenever or if they come.