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Home News Trump Moves To Restrict Immigration Rights, Targets Birthright Citizenship

Trump Moves To Restrict Immigration Rights, Targets Birthright Citizenship

by Celia

President Donald Trump began his aggressive immigration law overhaul on Monday, directing the U.S. military to assist with border security, banning asylum requests, and targeting birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of non-citizen parents.

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In a move to combat illegal immigration, which he declared a national emergency, Trump ordered the Pentagon to support the construction of the border wall, provide detention space, and assist in the transportation of migrants. He also granted the secretary of defense the authority to deploy military personnel to the border as needed.

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Trump called for the reinstatement of the controversial “remain in Mexico” program, which requires non-Mexican migrants to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed.

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The move comes just hours after the inauguration, when U.S. border authorities announced the cancellation of the Biden administration’s CBP One entry program. The app had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to schedule legal appointments to enter the U.S. This decision left many migrants stranded and uncertain of their next steps.

Trump, who reclaimed the presidency after promising to strengthen border security, has sharply criticized President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, claiming they have led to a surge in illegal crossings. Republicans argue that mass deportations are necessary to address the millions of immigrants who entered the country illegally during Biden’s presidency. U.S. government estimates suggest that as of 2022, there were approximately 11 to 14 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

As part of his inaugural speech, Trump emphasized the importance of defending the nation from what he described as an “invasion” by illegal immigrants, calling it his highest responsibility as commander-in-chief.

However, critics, including civil rights groups and immigrant advocates, warn that mass deportations could severely disrupt businesses, divide families, and burden U.S. taxpayers with exorbitant costs.

In several border cities in Mexico, migrants were caught off guard when their scheduled appointments through Biden’s CBP One app were abruptly canceled following Trump’s inauguration. The app had been crucial for migrants seeking to enter the U.S. legally, and around 280,000 people had been using it daily.

In Ciudad Juarez, migrants scrambled to secure short-term housing and figure out alternative plans. Daynna del Valle, a Venezuelan migrant, had been waiting for months in Mexico for an appointment that was set for the day after Trump took office. “I’m lost,” she said, unsure of where to turn next.

Denia Mendez, a Honduran migrant in Piedras Negras, Mexico, was devastated when she learned that her appointment had been canceled. Her 15-year-old daughter Sofia had been trying to get into the CBP One app but had no success.

One of the most controversial parts of Trump’s new immigration policy is a direct challenge to birthright citizenship. The order calls on U.S. agencies to stop recognizing the citizenship of children born on U.S. soil to non-citizen parents, a move that could lead to extensive legal battles. The right to birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and any attempt to change it would face significant opposition in court.

In addition to targeting birthright citizenship, Trump suspended U.S. refugee resettlement for at least three months and initiated a review of security measures to determine if travelers from certain countries should be subjected to new travel bans.

Trump also rolled back policies that had previously limited the scope of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His administration now plans to broaden ICE’s enforcement efforts, focusing on deporting immigrants with final removal orders, including those without criminal convictions. This change could significantly increase the number of deportations.

In an attempt to gain more control over the immigration system, Trump also dismissed several top officials from the U.S. Justice Department’s immigration courts. Additionally, Trump initiated a process to designate criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and invoked a 1798 law to target foreign gang members.

The sweeping nature of these new measures suggests that Trump’s second term will be marked by a continued hardline approach to immigration, with potential legal and political battles ahead.

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