President Trump Executive Orders Explained
Since January 20, President Trump has issued Executive Orders focused on immigration policies. These directives escalate his administration’s use of executive power to target immigrant communities.
BIC remains committed to our community and will continue to offer legal advice and support. We defend due process and advocates for policies that uphold justice for all.
BIC urges lawmakers and community members to oppose these harmful measures and stand in solidarity with our immigrant community.
Below is a summary of some of the measures (for a full list, please click here).
Asylum Seekers
Initiates Border Expulsions: Implements indefinite mass expulsions at the U.S.-Mexico border, barring asylum seekers from entry.
Reinstating “Remain in Mexico” Policy: Requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed.
Eliminating CBP One App: Discontinues the mobile application used for scheduling asylum appointments.
Expanding Third-Country Agreements: Requires asylum seekers to apply for protection in another country before reaching the U.S..
Broadening Expedited Removal: Allows deportations without judicial review for noncitizens unable to prove more than two years of U.S. residence.
Suspending Refugee Resettlement: Halts the admission of refugees into the U.S..
These measures violate long standing legal protections for asylum seekers and refugees, contradicting international human rights commitments.
Executive Order: “Protecting the American People Against Invasion"
Executive Order: “Securing Our Borders"
Increased Criminalization of Immigrant Communities
Maximizing Immigration Detention: Utilizes detention facilities to their fullest extent under existing immigration enforcement laws.
Extending 287(g) Agreements: Allows local law enforcement to act as immigration agents.
These orders deepen systemic injustices, criminalizing immigrants on an unprecedented scale while undermining due process and public safety.
Executive Order: “Protecting the American People Against Invasion"
"Terrorism” Designations to Block Protection for Immigrants and Asylum Seekers
Labeling Cartels and Gangs as Terrorist Organizations: Jeopardizes asylum eligibility for individuals forced to interact with these groups under duress.
Implementing Extreme "Vetting" Policies: Treats all immigrants as potential national security threats, relying on unreliable foreign data to justify protection denials.
Reviving Discriminatory Travel Bans: Reintroduces restrictions targeting Muslim-majority and African nations.
These policies misuse national security rhetoric to further an anti-immigrant agenda, barring vulnerable individuals from legal protection.
Family Separation and Harm to Children
Rescinding the Family Reunification Taskforce: Revokes the task force, ending efforts to reunite families separated by previous immigration policies.
Stripping U.S.-Born Children of Citizenship: Denies legal status to children of non-permanent residents, violating the Fourteenth Amendment and creating a stateless underclass.
Turning Away Children at the Border: Forces migrant children back into dangerous conditions, disregarding long standing child protection laws.
These actions will inflict lasting harm on children and violate core child welfare protections.
Executive Order: “Protecting the American People Against Invasion"
Executive Order: "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship"
Executive Order: “Securing Our Borders"
Broader Attacks on Immigrant and Marginalized Communities
Restricting LGBTQ+ Rights: Limits federal recognition to only binary gender identities, increasing the risk of detention for trans women.
Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: Dismantles federal programs that protect marginalized communities, including immigrants.
These policies further discrimination and social instability while ignoring pressing global challenges.
Executive Order: “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing"
The Berkshire Immigrant Center remains committed to our community and will continue to offer legal advice and support.
BIC defends due process and advocates for policies that uphold justice for all. We urge lawmakers and community members to oppose these harmful measures and stand in solidarity with our immigrant community.