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Staying informed and seeking qualified legal guidance becomes even more important after President Trump’s executive orders related to immigration policies. It is going to be a tough road ahead with real-life consequences, and a lot may happen that will not be easy for you to deal with. Call Kats Immigration Law today and seek legal help to know your rights and stay connected with the experts. Alina Kats and her team provide clear, compassionate, and experienced legal support so you can navigate the complexities of the US immigration system the best way and move forward with confidence.
President Donald Trump promised radical changes in immigration rules and policies, and he did not waste any time getting started after taking oath. Just hours after he was sworn in on 20th January, he was sitting in the Oval Office with a stack of Executive Orders. By the end of the day, he was done making changes and reviving many of the programs and policies he had executed during his first term as president.
Trump’s Executive Orders on Day One are meant to reshape the US immigration policies significantly. Most of these actions focus on border security, reducing immigration, and rolling back humanitarian protections.
Read on to learn what these executive orders aim to do and how they can impact employers and foreign nationals in the coming months and years.
Here is an insight into some of the significant actions taken by the Trump administration on immigration in the initial weeks and how they can impact immigrants.
This order directs the Department of State and Homeland Security, as well as all agencies, to make the vetting process stricter for visa applicants as well as those already in the country. They are required to be more careful during the visa-issuing process.
Potential impact:
As a result, foreign nationals applying for visas at US consulates and embassies all over the world will face administrative processing. It may lead to backlog and even suspend the visa scheduling for some time. People born in high-risk countries are more likely to face heightened scrutiny.
There will also be delays in visa issuance due to administrative processing and additional security clearances, and citizens of high-risk countries may also face travel bans and visa denials.
This order directs the use of armed forces, additional physical barriers, unmanned aerial systems, and a revision of policies and strategies that can delay and deny unauthorized entries into the US from the southern border.
This order also directs DHS to use the best available means to determine the validity of familial relationships between foreign nationals. It ends CBP One and the parole program, Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
Potential impact:
These orders can result in increased wait times and scrutiny at ports of entry. Employers and foreign nationals should be prepared for potential delays when foreign nationals enter the US from Mexico. They should also have valid documentation confirming their relationship to their dependents or sponsors.
This order focuses on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) as well as other U.S. trade agreements. With these orders, the US Trade Representatives are directed to review and renegotiate or even withdraw from agreements that do not benefit American workers and businesses.
Potential impact:
No immediate changes are expected at this time, but as the USCMA agreement includes provisions authorizing the TN visa, TN visa applications may face increased scrutiny during interviews. However, this policy can affect other treaty-based nonimmigrant visas such as E-1 (treaty trader), E-2 (treaty investor), E-3 (Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia), and H-1B1 (specialty occupation workers from Chile and Singapore).
While these programs will not be affected, authorities will be more vigilant.
Related: Trump’s Denaturalization Threat: Legal Facts You Should Know
According to this order, the DHS will establish new enforcement policies for addressing illegal entries and unlawful presence and remove those who are unlawfully present in the US.
This can result in:
Potential impact of the order:
TPS and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) based on TPS will likely not be extended, and USCIS will not issue policies that can help them further. Foreign nationals are likely to face problems regarding their immigration status in the United States. Also, they should have the proper documentation in hand as the state and local authorities get the authority to investigate their lawful status.
This order prohibits the entry of any person, including asylum seekers, at the southern border of the US. The concerned authorities may admit refugees only on a case-to-case basis.
Potential impact of the order:
The DHS will prevent entry of asylum seekers as well as other individuals into the United States at the southern border. Chances are that asylum seekers will also face legal challenges as things will become difficult for them.
The refugee program has been suspended till further notice. DHS and the secretary of State may admit refugees on a case-to-case basis only.
Potential impact:
There will be no new decisions on the applications for refugee status until DHS advises otherwise.
This order withdraws the 78 executive orders and presidential memoranda signed by former president Biden. It includes immigration-related executive orders 13993, 14010, 14011, 14012 and 14013.
These immigration orders signal a bold and controversial transformation of the US policy. The effects of these decisions by President Trump will be seen in legal battles, shifts in migration patterns as well as changes in international relations. As time passes, the world will know how these executive orders reshape not only US immigration policy but also the lives of millions of people affected by them.
While some of these orders are already implemented, others are facing legal challenges and delays. Time will reveal whether these initial actions represent the high water mark of the administration’s immigration agenda or initiate transformation of America’s immigration system.
If you are currently involved in an immigration case or plan to apply for US immigration in the future, having the right legal support can make all the difference. The US immigration system is complex, and these policy changes have made things even more challenging. Alina Kats provides complete information regarding immigration policies and guides you every step of the way, whether it is applying for a visa, seeking asylum, adjusting your status, or facing a delay. She helps you understand your options and protects your rights to ensure your safe and legal future in the United States.