Under Trump, Federal Agencies Take on Expansive Immigration Roles

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Key Takeaways

• DHS expanded expedited removal authority on January 21, 2025, allowing immediate deportation without court processes for recent entries without legal status.
• DOJ granted immigration enforcement powers to FBI, DEA, ATF, and others, merging criminal law enforcement and civil immigration duties.
• State Department’s “enhanced vetting” policy creates longer visa processing times and applies stricter scrutiny, especially to applicants from “high-risk” countries.

In President Trump’s second term, immigration has become a central priority, influencing not only traditional immigration agencies but nearly every major federal government department. Beginning on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed ten executive orders and proclamations that reshaped the U.S. immigration system. These sweeping changes brought a strict focus on enforcement and control, with measures impacting visa applicants, asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants, and even federal agencies that were not typically involved in immigration matters.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Expanded Role

Under Trump, Federal Agencies Take on Expansive Immigration Roles

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been tasked with leading the administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts. Among DHS’s first actions was an expansion of its expedited removal authority, announced through a Federal Register notice on January 21, 2025. Expedited removal allows DHS to deport individuals who recently arrived in the U.S. without legal status, bypassing the traditional court processes. This change means immigrants who might previously have sought a legal defense in court now face deportation immediately after apprehension.

Additionally, DHS has been directed to develop stricter enforcement policies targeting individuals in the U.S. who entered illegally or overstayed visas. These policies aim to prioritize not only individuals convicted of crimes but also those who are simply in the country unlawfully. This effort represents a significant departure from policies under President Biden, which had emphasized targeted enforcement based on criminal activity.

The Department of Justice’s New Enforcement Powers

The role of the Department of Justice (DOJ) has also significantly expanded. A new directive allows DOJ law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Marshal Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to act as immigration enforcement officers. For the first time, these agencies can locate, arrest, and detain those accused of breaking immigration laws. This unprecedented step extends the footprint of immigration enforcement beyond the agencies traditionally responsible for these tasks, raising concerns about potential overreach.

Legal experts have pointed out that this cross-agency collaboration adds significant manpower to immigration enforcement but also complicates the line between criminal law enforcement and civil immigration matters. Critics note that such changes could blur constitutional protections for immigrants by treating civil immigration violations in the same way criminal offenses are handled.

Stricter Visa Policies from the State Department

The Department of State has been instructed to impose what it calls “enhanced vetting” for visa applicants. Under this policy, visa applicants, both in the United States and abroad, will be subject to additional scrutiny, leading to longer wait times for visa approvals. The State Department is also reviewing existing visa programs to align them with what the administration calls “specific ideological values.” While the exact criteria for these values have not been disclosed, there is growing concern it may disproportionately target applicants from certain countries.

Such measures are expected to create significant backlogs in visa processing. Applicants from countries identified as “high-risk” may experience even longer waiting periods or increased rejections. This stricter regime marks a continuation of the Trump administration’s push to limit immigration from countries it deems less likely to meet U.S. standards or security requirements.

Militarization of Border Security by the Department of Defense

On January 23, 2025, approximately 1,500 military troops were dispatched to the U.S.-Mexico border. These troops will support border control operations aimed at blocking unauthorized migration. While U.S. law prevents the military from directly processing or detaining migrants, their presence at the border signals a new level of militarization in managing illegal crossings. This deployment marks a sharp contrast to previous administrations that favored civilian-led border security efforts.

Restricting Benefits and Work Authorization

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been directed to ensure that unauthorized immigrants no longer qualify for federal benefits. This directive could result in significant changes to how public assistance programs like Medicaid or housing aid are administered. However, as of now, the details remain unclear.

Separately, the Department of Labor has been instructed to reduce the availability of work permits. This will particularly affect categories of immigrants who, under current laws and policies, are eligible for permission to work in the U.S. Such a move could make it harder for undocumented immigrants or those awaiting asylum decisions to earn a living, compounding economic challenges for these groups.

Asylum and Refugee Barriers

The administration’s updated asylum policies represent some of the most controversial changes. The southern border has effectively been closed to new asylum seekers, a decision that may conflict with provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act that guarantee an individual’s right to seek asylum. Additionally, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been suspended as of January 27, 2025. The administration has expressed plans to revamp the refugee program so that it prioritizes applications from individuals who are deemed most likely to “assimilate” into American society. A report on this redesigned program is due to be submitted every 90 days.

These measures represent significant barriers for people fleeing danger and persecution, with critics arguing that they weaken the U.S.’s long-standing position as a haven for refugees. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, international organizations and human rights groups have already voiced concerns, warning that these changes could leave tens of thousands of vulnerable people without safe options.

Local and State Agencies Brought into Enforcements

Beyond federal agencies, state and local law enforcement may also play a larger role in immigration enforcement. New executive orders allow for the deputization of local police to investigate and detain immigrants suspected of violating immigration laws. While this move aims to bolster federal enforcement capacity, it has sparked concerns about increased racial profiling and strained police-community relations in immigrant communities.

Future Plans and Legal Pushback

Looking ahead, the administration is expected to announce new travel and immigration bans for countries deemed to provide “insufficient” information to U.S. authorities. The list of these countries is being finalized and will be submitted to President Trump within 60 days of January 21, 2025. Additionally, legal challenges are likely to arise, particularly in response to policies blocking asylum claims. Civil rights advocates argue that these changes conflict with international law and U.S. immigration statutes.

A Lasting Impact on Immigration Policy

The Trump administration’s approach to immigration in its second term signals a massive shift that touches nearly all aspects of immigration policy. From asylum seekers at the southern border to visa applicants abroad, the administration has pursued sweeping measures to tighten immigration rules. Many federal agencies—some of which had minimal or no connection to immigration enforcement in the past—are now fully involved in these efforts, creating a comprehensive system focused on enforcement and restriction.

The practical outcome of these policies includes longer wait times for visas, a significant reduction in refugee admissions, and new hardships for undocumented workers. The administration’s whole-of-government approach ensures that these policies will have far-reaching consequences for years to come. For more information on specific immigration policies or forms, you can visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov.

Learn Today

Executive Orders → Directives issued by the U.S. President to manage government operations, often bypassing legislative approval.
Expedited Removal → A process allowing quick deportation of individuals without legal status, bypassing traditional immigration court procedures.
Enhanced Vetting → Increased scrutiny of visa applicants to assess eligibility, potentially causing longer wait times and higher rejection rates.
Refugee Admissions Program → A U.S. government initiative to resettle individuals fleeing persecution, recently suspended pending revision.
Deputization → Granting authority to local officials, like police, to enforce federal immigration laws typically outside their jurisdiction.

This Article in a Nutshell

Trump’s second term redefined U.S. immigration, intertwining enforcement with nearly every federal agency. From stricter visa vetting to militarized borders, sweeping policies prioritized control over compassion. Asylum seekers faced unprecedented barriers, while expedited deportations bypassed courts. Critics warn these changes erode rights and humanitarian values, leaving lasting impacts on America’s immigration legacy.
— By VisaVerge.com