A few weeks ago, New York immigration lawyer Pouyan Darian aimed to reassure lawful permanent residents, emphasizing that traveling outside the United States would not threaten their status under the Trump administration.
In a widely shared YouTube video, Darian assured green-card holders that, with few exceptions, they have the “absolute right” to return to the country.
Immigration Challenges Under Trump’s Second Term
Since President Donald Trump returned to office, immigration enforcement has been a key priority. He issued several executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying troops, and attempting to end birthright citizenship for children of noncitizens.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked this move. The administration has also restricted access to asylum, suspended refugee resettlement, and ended temporary protections for approximately 350,000 Venezuelan migrants. These actions have sparked fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities across the nation.
Increased Enforcement and Detention Capacity
Trump has pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, and his administration has significantly increased immigration arrests. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials were directed to raise their arrest numbers from a few hundred per day to at least 1,200 to 1,500.
To support this effort, personnel from various federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, have been involved. In an effort to expand detention capacity, the government has started transferring migrants to the Guantánamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba.
Legal Challenges and Pushback
Numerous lawsuits have been filed in response to Trump’s immigration policies. States such as California and New York, along with advocacy groups like the ACLU and the National Immigrant Justice Center, are challenging the administration’s actions.
These legal challenges include disputes over the executive order on birthright citizenship and the administration’s claim of an “invasion” at the border, which would allow for the immediate expulsion of migrants without asylum hearings.
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