Borderline Battle: Trump’s Tough Stance

What Happened?

Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to restoring border security and prioritizing the safety of Americans in his inaugural address.

Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, Trump announced plans to deploy troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and accelerate deportations of criminal offenders. The president’s tough stance signals a return to policies that prioritize law and order, secure borders, and American sovereignty.

Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law dating back to 1798, to target foreign gang members operating in the United States.

The law, rarely used since World War II, emphasizes the administration’s focus on addressing the criminal element among illegal immigrants. This has long been a point of contention amongst conservatives who advocated for tighter border security.

The president also announced the designation of criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, a move designed to bolster enforcement against networks fueling illegal immigration and drug trafficking into the United States.

One of Trump’s first actions as president was shutting down the controversial CBP One entry program that was implemented under Joe Biden.

The app allowed migrants to schedule appointments for legal entry into the U.S., effectively creating a pipeline for hundreds of thousands to bypass the traditional immigration processes. By canceling existing appointments, Trump sent a clear message that the era of loose border policies has ended.

Why it Matters

One of Trump's more popular stances leading to his reelection was a promise to strengthen border security and crack down on illegal immigration.

Many Americans voiced their frustration over Biden-era border mismanagement, which saw unprecedented levels of illegal border crossings.

Arrests dipped slightly in the final months of Biden’s presidency due to stricter policies and increased enforcement by Mexico. However, Trump argued that only a comprehensive, no-nonsense approach can truly secure the border.

Critics of Biden’s policies blamed them for incentivizing illegal migration and straining U.S. resources, and Trump has vowed to reverse the damage done by the policies.

The new administration’s agenda has already drawn criticism from left-wing organizations like the ACLU, which filed a court challenge against the termination of the CBP One program.

California and other Democratic-led states with sanctuary policies are also likely to resist federal immigration enforcement. However, Trump’s policies reflect the growing sentiment among many Americans who demand stronger borders and are tired of unchecked immigration.

How it Affects You

In Mexican border cities, the effects of the new administration’s policy shift were felt immediately. Migrants relying on the CBP One app to secure entry appointments were left stranded.

Critics of Trump's staunch immigration procedures have seized on these stories to portray his policies as harsh. But the president has defended his approach, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and discourage illegal immigration.

For Trump, the focus remains on protecting American jobs, ensuring national security, and preventing taxpayer dollars from subsidizing illegal activity.

The administration is also taking aim at birthright citizenship, a policy rooted in the 14th Amendment. Trump has argued that granting automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants creates a significant pull factor for illegal crossings.

While any changes to this policy will undoubtedly face legal challenges, the proposal aligns with Trump’s campaign promises to discourage illegal entry and restore fairness to the immigration system.

In addition, Trump plans to reinstate his successful 'Remain in Mexico' policy, which requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed in U.S. courts.

The policy, lauded by conservatives for reducing fraudulent asylum claims, was eliminated by Biden, leading to overcrowded facilities and overwhelmed border towns. Trump also intends to suspend the U.S. refugee resettlement program temporarily to conduct a thorough security review.

In his inaugural address, Trump declared, 'All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.'

For supporters, this marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to law and order, securing borders, and safeguarding the future of the nation.