Illegal Crossings at US-Mexico Border Plunge Amid Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
Since returning to office, President Trump’s strict immigration measures have drastically reduced illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border, dropping from over 130,000 encounters last February to around 8,300 this February. His administration has enforced significant policies, such as suspending asylum and increasing deportations, while legal challenges regarding these strategies persist amid concerns for legal immigrants’ rights.
Since his return to the White House two months ago, President Donald Trump has enacted multiple executive measures to combat illegal immigration. According to the US Department of Defense, the number of individuals encountering border patrol while trying to cross illegally into the United States plummeted from over 130,000 in February of the previous year to approximately 8,300 this February, marking a nearly 94 percent reduction. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks attributes this significant decline to Trump’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise of securing the nation’s borders.
In his efforts to curb illegal immigration, President Trump has suspended the US asylum system, escalated deportation initiatives, and deployed additional military personnel to the southern border. Moreover, a deal with Mexico has led to the mobilization of Mexican forces to secure the border, contingent upon delaying substantial tariffs on Mexican imports. This comprehensive crackdown demonstrates a clear warning to prospective illegal crossers that they face probable deportation under the current administration.
Since the initiation of the deportation campaign, the media has reported extensively on flights transporting detained migrants. A notable instance involved over 250 Venezuelan gang members who were sent to prison in El Salvador after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, which provides broad authority to detain and deport nationals from enemy countries during wartime. Trump contends that “this is a time of war” and asserts that those deported were violent offenders.
The American Civil Liberties Union is contesting Trump’s rationale, labeling the administration’s actions as “lawless.” Attorney Lee Gelernt warns, “We’re on very dangerous ground here” regarding the use of wartime powers to manage immigration. Gelernt suggests a concerning trend where lawful removals could become vulnerable to misuse. Meanwhile, Trump has publicly called for the impeachment of a judge who opposed his deportation strategy.
Despite ongoing legal challenges against Trump’s immigration policies, analysts observe that these measures appear to be yielding results. Tony Payan, from the Baker Institute, notes that, while there is a moral debate surrounding these strategies, one cannot ignore that they have been effective in collaboration with Mexico to manage border security. However, he cautions that the decline in unlawful entries also reflects earlier policies established under the Biden administration, which had already begun to reduce crossing numbers.
There are increasing alarms regarding the expansion of stringent immigration policies affecting individuals who possess legal rights to reside in the United States. Reports have surfaced indicating that even authorized immigrants are facing arrests, as demonstrated by the case of green card-holder Mahmoud Khalil amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him. Furthermore, the State Department has indicated ongoing monitoring of visa holders for compliance with US legal mandates. Notably, the Trump administration plans to revoke temporary legal status for over half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela in the near future.
In summary, President Trump’s immigration policies, enacted upon his return to office, have resulted in a significant decrease in illegal border crossings at the US-Mexico border. Measures including suspending the asylum system and ramping up deportation efforts have drawn both attention and criticism, as they raise concerns about the treatment of legal immigrants. Analysts recognize the effectiveness of these strategies, despite ongoing legal challenges that highlight the potential overreach of wartime authorities in domestic immigration enforcement. The situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for many current and future immigrants in the United States.
Original Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
