Lea este artículo en español: https://www.ciiccolorado.org/post/las-%C3%B3rdenes-ejecutivas-presidenciales-y-su-impacto-potencial
The current administration has announced plans to implement new immigration policies. These include changes to both executive orders and legislative measures that would affect immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the United States.
According to recent policy announcements and the signing of executive orders, the administration intends to implement large-scale deportation measures.
The proposed policies also affect various groups, including:
Current immigrants and their families
People seeking asylum
Refugees
U.S. citizen children with non-citizen parents
The administration plans to reinstate several previous immigration policies. Below are the relevant presidential actions that were signed as of Monday January 20th, 2025:
Resumption of Migrant Protection Protocols and other Immigration policies
Executive Order: SECURING OUR BORDERS
Sec. 2. Securing the Nation's Borders
Officials said they're planning to end the policy known as "catch and release," which released those without legal status from detention while they awaited an immigration court hearing.
There are several parts to this policy that also allow for the immediate removal of aliens found in violation of “Federal Law”, and in using State and local law enforcement to enforce “Federal immigration priorities.”
This order significantly expands both the scope of deportations and related legal proceedings compared to previous policies.
Additionally, the order terminated the Humanitarian Parole Programs that allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. with sponsors. This creates uncertainty for families who have already settled in the U.S. about whether their family members in the process of joining them will have a path to entry.
Sec. 6. Resumption of Migrant Protection Protocols. (Remain in Mexico)
The Migration Protection Protocols policy requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed. Approximately 70,000 people seeking asylum, including children, have waited in Mexico during their asylum hearings — a process that typically takes months to years.
Under this policy, people lived in temporary camps with limited access to food, clean water, and medical services. Reports documented incidents of violence in these unofficial refugee camps.
During court hearings, most individuals did not have legal representation. Statistics show that 1% of completed cases received relief in immigration court.
Studies indicate that this policy has led to health disparities among affected populations and increased risks for families.
Executive Order: PROTECTING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AGAINST INVASION
The executive order aims to strengthen immigration enforcement by establishing federal Homeland Security Task Forces that will collaborate with state and local law enforcement agencies. This represents an expansion of immigration enforcement beyond federal ICE agents by creating formal partnerships with local authorities to identify and remove individuals without legal status, particularly those classified as criminals or gang members.
At present schools are considered protected areas by ICE agents, whether or not this distinction will apply to other law enforcement officials under this new order still is unclear. Many advocate groups nationally are urging patience and a “wait and see” approach.
Currently two laws serve to protect the rights of immigrant students:
The first is the U.S. Supreme Court's Plyler v. Doe decision, which established that Colorado and other states cannot restrict a child's access to education based on their immigration status or implement measures that might deter school enrollment — such as allowing immigration enforcement operations on school grounds. Additionally, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, provides schools with the authority to safeguard students' confidential information in educational records.
Birthright Citizenship Status
Executive Order: PROTECTING THE MEANING AND VALUE OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP
NPR reports: “In an interpretation of the amendment's clause of "subject to the jurisdiction thereof," the order, which takes effect in 30 days, would narrow who can get U.S. citizenship based on the legal status of their parents.”
Birthright citizenship is established in the Fourteenth Amendment. The landmark 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark confirmed that citizenship is granted to all individuals born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status.
In 2025, the U.S. remains one of 29 nations, alongside Canada and Mexico, that follow jus soli (birthright citizenship, with exceptions only for children of foreign diplomats).
An estimated 5.5 million U.S.-born children live in mixed-status households with at least one undocumented parent. These children are among the 37.1 million second-generation Americans who make up roughly 12% of the U.S. population. At her recent confirmation hearings, Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi stated she would "study birthright citizenship" if confirmed.
Suspension of the Refugee Admissions Program
Executive order: REALIGNING THE UNITED STATES REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
The order temporarily suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program starting from Jan. 27, "until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.”
This will especially have implications for more than 1,600 Afghan refugees and family of active duty personnel and children waiting to be reunited with their families and were previously classified as eligible for resettlement.
This also affects many other refugees from many other countries who are fleeing from war.
Changes at the Southern Border of the United States
Executive order: DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER OF THE UNITED STATES
In this executive order declaring a national emergency, the president characterizes the southern border situation as an invasion threatening America's sovereignty. The president asserts that cartels, criminal gangs, terrorists, human traffickers, and drug smugglers have overrun the border, leading to violence against American citizens and widespread drug-related deaths. Due to this perceived emergency, the president calls for the Armed Forces to assist the Department of Homeland Security in gaining control of the southern border.
Essentially what this order does is enable the president to access federal funding to “secure the border” without Congress and leaves the possibility of creating exemptions to rules that would normally constrain the president.
It also allows for the military to remain deployed there as long as he deems necessary. In a separate order (CLARIFYING THE MILITARY’S ROLE IN PROTECTING THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF THE UNITED STATES), the president has assigned the military a specific responsibility over immigration enforcement. It remains to be seen if the application of this order will run into conflict with standing laws that limit the use of federal troops in domestic policing purposes.
How this will impact the flow of legal immigration at the border remains to be seen as well.
Other potential policies that are proposed:
INVOKING THE ALIEN ENEMIES ACT OF 1798
In his inaugural address, President Trump announced plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a wartime authority granting presidents power to bypass due process and deport citizens of nations deemed "enemies" of the U.S. This act, last used during World War II, provided the legal basis for Japanese internment camps, one of America's darkest historical chapters.
The administration plans to use this act to implement "Operation Aurora," targeting individuals for detention and deportation. The plan includes measures against sanctuary cities that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.
The full scope of the administration's intended use of the Alien Enemies Act is unclear. Currently, foreign-born residents comprise 47.8 million people — 14.3% of the U.S. population, according to Pew Research Center. One notable possibility is its potential use against campus protesters, aligning with the Republican Party's "2024 Make America Great!" platform priorities.
Conclusion
If fully implemented, these proposed policy changes would significantly impact immigration processes, enforcement procedures, and communities across the United States. However, many of these changes face ongoing legal challenges and their implementation remains uncertain.
The proposed changes would affect multiple aspects of the U.S. immigration system—from application processing to enforcement priorities and administrative procedures. Any implementation would need to comply with legal requirements and procedural guidelines, subject to judicial review.
Understanding these potential policy changes is vital for anyone affected by or working within the immigration system. Information and guidance about current policies and proposed changes are available through official government channels and qualified immigration professionals.
At Integrated Community, we remain committed to helping our local community members understand their rights and preserve the harmony we have collectively built. While we maintain a nonpartisan stance and do not endorse specific candidates or political positions, we recognize our moral and legal obligation to support our neighbors and uphold the constitutional rights guaranteed to immigrants and refugees. We encourage our community to join us in these efforts to protect the dignity and basic rights of all residents, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Integrated Community ("Organization"), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has compiled this information from various third-party sources deemed reliable but not independently verified. All referenced materials and links remain the intellectual property of their respective owners. The Organization expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. The Organization maintains strict political neutrality and does not endorse, oppose, or affiliate with any political candidate, party, or ideology. This position is in accordance with Internal Revenue Code requirements governing 501(c)(3) organizations. The views and opinions expressed in referenced materials do not necessarily reflect those of the Organization or its affiliates.
Comentários