The Trump Administration’s First 100 Days

The Trump administration has committed to taking bold action to secure our borders and restore safety to American communities by enforcing our immigration laws to ameliorate the crisis caused by more than 10 million illegal border crossings over the past four years.

January

Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border

On January 20, President Trump declared a national emergency at our southern border. This declaration is similar to the national emergency the President declared during his first administration, but that declaration was rescinded by President Biden on his first day in office. The proclamation directs the Armed Forces to “take all appropriate action” to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtain full operational control of the southern border. It also directs the Department of Defense (DOD) and DHS to take immediate steps to construct additional physical barriers at the southern border and to take all appropriate action to impede the entry of illegal aliens.

Detailing a Plan to Secure our Borders

On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled “Securing Our Borders,” which outlined the Trump administration’s border security policies. These policies included critical measures such as building a border wall; deterring illegal entry into the United States; prioritizing the detention and removal of illegal aliens; and obtaining operational control of our borders. The Order also called for the termination of harmful “catch-and-release” policies, which were recklessly used under the Biden administration to release illegal aliens into the country.

Directing the Military to Assist in Securing Our Borders

On January 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled, “Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States.” In addition to detailing the National Emergency along our southern border, the Order aims to mitigate threats against our nation’s sovereignty by directing the Armed Services to, “prioritize the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States along our national borders.” It instructs the Department of Defense (DOD) to make plans to secure our borders against illegal immigration, drug trafficking, human smuggling and trafficking, and other illegal activities.

Protecting the States Against Invasion

On January 20, President Trump signed a Proclamation entitled, “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion.” In it, the President used his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny entry into the United States of aliens engaged in the invasion at our southern border, until such time as the President finds that the invasion has ceased. Finding that the entry of illegal aliens is detrimental to the interests of the United States, the President is also directing that aliens engaged in the invasion are restricted from invoking INA provisions to remain in the country, including section 208 of the INA, until such time as the President finds that the invasion has ceased. This suspension of entry is also invoked for aliens posing public health, safety, or national security risks who fail to provide sufficient medical, criminal history, and background information.

Enforcing Our Immigration Laws to Keep Americans Safe

On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” Through this Order, the President implemented broad policies regarding a variety of aspects of immigration law and required the DHS Secretary, Secretary of State, and Attorney General to implement critical enforcement policies. These policies included prioritizing the prosecution of criminal offenses related to illegal entry or presence in the United States; targeting cartels, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations; taking appropriate action, including through 287(g) agreements, to authorize state and local law enforcement officials to help enforce federal immigration laws; and undertaking any lawful actions to ensure sanctuary jurisdictions are not receiving federal funds.

Bolstering Vetting to Prioritize National Security and Public Safety

On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled, “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This Order provided for increased vetting and screening of aliens to ensure that individuals who intend to harm Americans or jeopardize our national interests do not exploit visas to enter the country. The Order directs the Secretary of State to evaluate vetting procedures and requires the State Department to report to the President which countries have inadequate vetting and could warrant suspension of entry for nationals of that county. The Order further instructs the DHS Secretary to remove or exclude aliens from countries warranting such a suspension of entry absent other national security or public interest concerns.

Taking Steps to Combat Cartels and Other Criminal Organizations

On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled, “Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.” This Order created a process to designate certain international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Specifically, it required the Secretary of State, within 14 days, to make recommendations as to the designations of specific cartels and directed the Attorney General and DHS Secretary to prepare for action under the Alien Enemies Act.

Realigning the Refugee Admissions Program to Prioritize American Interests

On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled, “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” which announced that he would be suspending the entry of refugees for up to 90 days, if not longer, until he determines that resuming admissions would be in the best interest of the United States. The Order also required DHS to suspend the adjudication of existing refugee applications during the pause. Despite the suspension, the Order still allowed the DHS Secretary and the Secretary of State to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis if it is in the national interest and the refugee would not pose a threat to the United States. Finally, the Order directs the federal government to engage more with state and local leaders on refugee resettlement in the country.

Protecting the Value of American Citizenship

On January 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order entitled, “Protecting the Meaning of and Value of American Citizenship.” This Order sought to ensure that the Fourteenth Amendment is interpreted correctly so that birthright citizenship is not extended to those unlawfully or temporarily in the country. While the Order was set to go into effect on February 19, 2025, legal challenges arose immediately, resulting in the Trump administration filing three emergency requests to the U.S. Supreme Court asking that the Court partially allow the Order to go into effect until there is a ruling on merits.

Rescinding the Harmful Executive Actions of the Biden Administration

On January 20, President Trump rescinded numerous executive actions by the Biden administration that were used to facilitate illegal immigration. Orders rescinded included:

• Executive Order 13993 (Revision of Civil Immigration Enforcement Policies and Priorities)
• Executive Order 14010 (Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border)
• Executive Order 14011 (Establishment of Interagency Taskforce on the Reunification of Families)
• Executive Order 14013 (Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs to Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration)
• The Presidential memorandum of January 14, 2025 (Certification of Recission of Cuba’s Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism).

Reversing Enforcement Policies in Sensitive Areas

On January 20, Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive rescinding the Biden administration’s guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that undermine enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas. The previous policy provided safe harbor to aliens in churches, schools, and courthouses, allowing criminals to hide behind “sensitive” locations to evade enforcement.

Reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols

On January 21, pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it would reinstate Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) to combat exploitation of our asylum system. That program, authorized by Section 235 of the INA, authorizes DHS to return certain aliens to the adjoining country from which they are arriving pending the completion of removal proceedings. In other words, illegal aliens seeking entry into the United States will be required to remain in Mexico until their asylum case can be heard. This policy was in place during the first Trump administration and had a deterrent effect until President Biden terminated it in 2021.

Suspending Categorical Parole Programs and Ending Abuse of the CBP One App

On January 21, pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that unlawful categorical parole programs – including the programs that specifically benefitted nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) and Afghanistan – had been immediately suspended. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the shutdown of the CBP One mobile application, which enabled 919,000 inadmissible aliens to schedule appointments at southern border points of entry and enter the United States since 2023.

Expanding Expedited Removal

On January 21, Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a notice expanding the scope of Expedited Removal to the maximum permitted under federal law. Expedited Removal is a power granted by Congress that allows the government to bypass the immigration courts to effectuate deportation in a swift manner. The statute even permits aliens who claim asylum to be deported via expedited removal, unless they pass a credible fear interview conducted by an asylum officer. Prior to this notice, officers could only apply expedited removal to aliens apprehended within 100 miles of the border and within two years of their arrival in the United States. However, as Trump officials stated in the new notice, “The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety—while reducing government costs—by facilitating prompt immigration determinations.”

Delegating Immigration Enforcement Powers to Additional Federal Agencies

On January 22, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security issued a memorandum granting four key federal law enforcement agencies the power to investigate and apprehend illegal aliens in the United States. Those agencies included the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

Signing the Laken Riley Act into Law

On January 29, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law. The bill was passed in honor of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was brutally murdered on a run near the University of Georgia’s campus by a Venezuelan illegal alien with ties to Tren de Aragua. The Laken Riley Act requires the detention of inadmissible aliens for theft-related crimes, crimes resulting in death or serious injury, and for assaulting law enforcement officers. The bill further requires that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issue detainers for those aliens to transfer them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. It also provides state officials with legal standing to sue the federal government due to harm inflicted on their states or citizens from the failure to enforce immigration law.

Expanding Detention Capacity for Dangerous Illegal Aliens

On January 29, President Trump issued a memorandum entitled, “Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Full Capacity.”  Earlier in the day, the President announced that his administration will make 30,000 detention beds at the U.S. naval base on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, available to house criminal migrants.

February

Leveraging Tariffs to Bolster Border Security

On February 1, the Trump administration proposed hefty tariffs on Canada and Mexico for their failure to stem the tide of illegal immigration and drugs over our borders. In response, both countries agreed to take a larger role in ensuring that those borders are secure. Mexico pledged to send 10,000 National Guard troops to the southern border and Canada agreed to implement a $1.3 billion border security effort, and dedicate another $200 million towards combatting crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. President Trump moved to pause tariffs for Canada and Mexico on February 3.

Terminating Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela

On February 3, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Department would no longer support the 2023 designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. Venezuelans were among the most encountered nationality of illegal aliens at the border under the Biden administration, with total encounters jumping by 77 percent between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023.

Targeting Sanctuary Jurisdictions and Non-Governmental Organizations

On February 5, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a memorandum entitled, “Sanctuary Jurisdiction Directives,” which stated that the DOJ will work to ensure that state and local jurisdictions that impede immigration enforcement do not receive federal funds from the Department. The memo further noted that DOJ will pursue legal action against sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to follow our immigration laws. Finally, the memo directed the Department to identify all contracts, grants, or other agreements with non-governmental organizations that provide services to illegal aliens and pause distribution of funds.

Fighting to Overturn Sanctuary City Policies

On February 6, the Department of Justice (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, filed a lawsuit to overturn state and local laws in Illinois that prevent law enforcement there from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit alleges that the state of Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County are all acting unlawfully to block immigration enforcement.

Increasing Vetting for Sponsors of Unaccompanied Alien Children

On February 14, the Trump administration implemented new policies to increase the vetting for sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs). The policies will be carried out by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the agency within Health and Human Services (HHS) that supervises UACs once the agency assumes custody of them from border officials. Now, ORR must conduct background checks on all adults in the sponsor’s household, and, to that end, require that all such adults submit fingerprints to the agency. In addition, ORR may now only accept unexpired and legible documents for the purpose of identifying potential sponsors.

Running Ad Campaigns to Discourage Illegal Immigration

On February 17,  the Department of Homeland Security announced a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at warning against illegal immigration and encouraging illegal aliens here unlawfully to self-deport. The ads were broadcast across numerous media platforms domestically and internationally – including radio, broadcast, social media, and text message – and were streamed in various languages.

Targeting Taxpayer-Funded Public Benefits for Illegal Aliens

On February 19, President Trump issued an Executive Order to protect American taxpayers from the financial strain of mass illegal immigration. The Order directed federal agencies to identify federally funded programs currently providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and to take corrective actions. It also required enhanced eligibility verification to ensure illegal aliens do not access taxpayer-funded benefits.

Designating Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

On February 20, pursuant to the President’s Executive Order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Department would designate Tren de Aragua, MS-13, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, United Cartels, the Northeast Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and La Nueva Familia Michoacana as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

Enforcing Longstanding Federal Law Requiring Aliens to Register with the Government

On February 25, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Department would begin enforcing longstanding provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that require all aliens to register with the federal government within 30 days of entering the country. Aliens who fail to register with the federal government, leave the country if they are here illegally, or notify the government of a change of address are subject to criminal penalties.

Securing Our Borders and Increasing Interior Enforcement

Border Patrol agents apprehended 8,347 illegal aliens between southern border ports of entry in February 2025, the lowest number of monthly apprehensions since FY 2000. This constituted a 94 percent decrease from February 2024, in which 140,641 were apprehended. Border encounters per day hit a 15-year-low of 200 individuals on February 24. In a February 26 press release, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that in just one month under President Trump, more than 20,000 illegal aliens were arrested, which the Secretary noted is a “627% increase in monthly arrests compared to just 33,000 at large arrests under Biden for ALL of last year.”

March

Designating English as Our Official Language

On March 1, President Trump signed an Executive Order entitled, “Designating English as the Official Language of The United States.” The Order marks the first time in its history that the United States has had an official language. It also represents a major victory for FAIR and like-minded organizations, which have fought since the early 1980s to establish English as the official, unifying language for all Americans.

Launching the CBP Home App to Encourage Aliens to Self-Deport

On March 10, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the launch of the CBP Home App. The app features a self-deportation reporting feature, encouraging aliens illegally in the U.S. to leave voluntarily and gain a chance of returning legally in the future.

Removing Dangerous Illegal Alien Gang Members 

On March 15, the President signed a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act, designating members of Tren de Aragua as “alien enemies.” This designation subjects Tren de Aragua members to immediate detention and removal under emergency powers, instead of through the regular process set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The same day, a federal judge moved to block the effort – issuing a temporary restraining order for 14 days.

Revoking Parole for the CHNV Parole Program

On March 25, the Trump administration terminated the parole status of hundreds of thousands of inadmissible aliens who were allowed to enter the United States under the Biden administration’s illegal Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program.

EDITORS NOTE: This FAIR column is republished with permission. © Copyright 2025 Federation for American Immigration Reform, All Rights Reserved.