Special Poll
The team surrounding the President-elect, Donald Trump, is reportedly developing a declaration of national emergency, aimed at granting extra powers and resources to fulfill Trump’s commitment to bolster border security and increase deportations of undocumented immigrants, sources say. This would mark a substantial shift from current policies, including the termination of the practice where migrants are released into U.S. communities while their court proceedings are pending, and would broaden the use of an expedited deportation process.
Additionally, Trump is expected to reinstitute the “Remain in Mexico” policy from his first term, requiring asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are adjudicated. There’s ongoing discussion within his team about labeling drug cartels as terrorist organizations, reviving a proposal that was considered but not implemented previously.
Early in his term, the Trump administration is not anticipated to restore the public health order known as Title 42, which permitted rapid expulsion of migrants citing health concerns, as it would require time to justify any new health-related restrictions. However, plans are underway to enforce stricter asylum regulations than those imposed under President Joe Biden’s administration, particularly at non-official entry points, and to navigate legal challenges more adeptly than in the past.
There are also proposals being shaped to potentially end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and short-term visitors, a significant move that would challenge the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship by birthright. While this action could be introduced soon, it is likely to face legal obstacles and varied legal interpretations within the Republican Party.
As these plans are being finalized, immigration advocates, civil rights organizations, and attorneys general from Democratic states are preparing to scrutinize and possibly contest Trump’s executive orders. They are particularly vigilant about actions that could involve the misuse of military forces domestically, compel local law enforcement to undertake federal immigration duties, or infringe upon constitutional rights such as due process.