The Trump administration continues to make changes to U.S. immigration policies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now using its full authority for expedited removals of immigrants. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can now arrest people in places that were once considered safe, like schools, churches, and hospitals. Also, the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their cases, has been brought back.
DHS announced it will now focus on detaining and removing all immigrants who have been in the U.S. for less than two years without legal status. More details will be available in a Federal Register notice to be published on January 24, 2025. This change allows immigration authorities to quickly remove people without having to go through long legal processes that could keep them in the U.S. for years. Under the Biden administration, expedited removals were limited to people within 100 miles of the border and who had been in the U.S. for less than two weeks without coming into contact with immigration enforcement officials. Now, DHS will go after all unauthorized immigrants, no matter how long they’ve been in the country or where they are located.
DHS also removed protections for certain areas. Now, immigration enforcement can take place in places like schools, hospitals, and churches. Some groups are concerned that this change will make people afraid to go to the doctor, school, or church.
Lastly, the “Remain in Mexico” program is back. This means that people seeking asylum will have to wait in Mexico until their cases are decided. This policy was first put in place during Trump’s presidency and was ended by President Biden.
Our team of experienced attorneys continues to actively monitor ongoing updates to U.S. immigration policy. Navigating the U.S. immigration legal system is challenging, particularly during times of swift change. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get expert advice for your individual situation based on the current laws of the country. Contact Us.