10 executive actions by Trump against immigrants

During his presidency, Donald Trump signed numerous executive actions and supported legislation that significantly affected immigrants, often creating restrictive policies.

OpporTechies gathered that President Trump signed the executive actions targeting immigrants to fulfill campaign promises, prioritizing border security and national sovereignty. Aimed at ending birthright citizenship, halting asylum processes, and cracking down on sanctuary cities, these orders reflect his administration’s focus on reducing illegal immigration, though they face legal challenges for potential constitutional violations.

Here are 10 key laws or orders that had a negative impact on immigrant communities, based on their outcomes and public discourse.

Travel Ban (Executive Order 13769, 2017): This order restricted entry from seven Muslim-majority countries, citing national security. It caused immediate chaos at airports, separated families, and faced legal challenges for discrimination, fostering fear among immigrant communities.

Public Charge Rule Expansion (2019): This policy redefined “public charge,” making it harder for immigrants using public benefits like Medicaid to obtain green cards. It deterred legal immigrants from accessing essential services, fearing deportation or visa denials.

Asylum Restrictions (Executive Order 13841, 2018): Trump limited asylum eligibility, requiring migrants to apply at ports of entry. This forced many to wait in dangerous conditions in Mexico, reducing access to humanitarian protection.

Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP, 2019): Known as “Remain in Mexico,” this policy required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. cases were processed. It exposed thousands to violence and poor living conditions.

Family Separation Policy (2018): Under the “Zero Tolerance” policy, children were separated from parents at the border to deter illegal crossings. Over 5,000 children were affected, causing widespread trauma and public outcry.

DACA Termination Attempt (2017): Trump sought to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, threatening deportation for nearly 700,000 young immigrants. Though courts blocked this, it created uncertainty for Dreamers.

H-1B Visa Restrictions (2020): Executive orders tightened criteria for skilled worker visas, raising wage requirements and limiting approvals. This hindered legal immigration for professionals, impacting industries reliant on global talent.

Refugee Cap Reduction (2017-2020): Trump slashed the annual refugee admission cap to historic lows (15,000 in 2020). This restricted resettlement opportunities for those fleeing persecution.

Border Wall Funding (2017-2021): Trump redirected billions to construct a border wall, symbolizing a hardline stance on immigration. It diverted resources from other immigration processing needs.

Denaturalization Task Force (2018): This initiative targeted naturalized citizens for potential fraud, creating fear of citizenship revocation among legal immigrants.

OpporTechies learnt that these policies collectively tightened immigration pathways, increased deportations, and instilled fear, significantly reshaping the U.S. immigration landscape.