The Trump administration’s new executive orders on immigration aimed to end birthright citizenship, develop new security task forces, and sharpen the vetting process, all of which could present new challenges to immigrants and their families in the U.S.
If you would like the help of an immigration attorney to protect your rights in the event of changing immigration policies, call Khalaf & Abuzir, LLC at 708-694-3859 for a consultation.
Overview of the Latest Executive Orders on Immigration
Shortly after his inauguration in January, President Donald Trump officially signed multiple new executive orders on immigration that could heavily impact the rights and general well-being of immigrants and children of immigrants born in the U.S.
Specifically, the new executive orders came with the following key goals:
To End Birthright Citizenship
Under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, anybody born in the U.S. is a citizen of the nation. This also applies to children of foreign-born immigrants in the U.S.
However, the Trump administration wants to end birthright citizenship for children of immigrants, which could render them stateless and subsequently forfeit their rights as citizens. As a result, these individuals would be unable to access the public services available to citizens and face alienation in their communities.
More Targeted Vetting Processes
Additionally, President Trump signed an executive order that would enhance the vetting process to identify and reject illegal immigrants, particularly those from countries the government labels as being “of particular concern.” The vetting would include increased overall scrutiny and background checks of individuals from these countries.
Currently, the administration is drafting a list of new countries to include on the travel ban, including “red” countries that will see all travel banned, such as:
- Iran
- Cuba
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Bhutan
- Syria
Other countries in the “orange” and “yellow” lists will also see restrictions.
Developing “Homeland Security Task Forces”
Another executive order entails creating “federal homeland security task forces” that would be responsible for facilitating the removal of undocumented immigrants, inadmissible aliens, criminals, and gang members with the help of law enforcement agencies across the country.
In the process, many local law enforcement agencies may work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce immigration laws.
How Recent Executive Orders Impact Green Card and Citizenship Applications
With the new executive orders in place, it can be more difficult to apply for green cards and citizenship. It’s also important to know what the difference is between immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas, and how each could experience changes under the Trump administration.
The travel bans could make it more challenging or even impossible for people to enter the U.S. from certain countries, especially those on the “red” list that are “of particular concern.” Meanwhile, enhanced vetting could lead to longer processing times due to more thorough security measures.
Impacts on Asylum Seekers and Refugees
People from nations where they face or have experienced persecution and wish to remain safe in the U.S. could also be at risk under the new executive orders.
One of President Trump’s executive orders, the “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” has indefinitely paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), effectively preventing refugees from resettling after undergoing thorough vetting. In other words, many refugees will be unable to enter the U.S. even after receiving initial approval from the U.S. government.
In addition, the Trump administration has reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). Under this policy, many asylum-seekers from Mexico must remain in the country until the government processes their applications, which can lead these individuals to face theft, extortion, and other forms of harm while waiting for approval.
Another factor impacting refugees and asylees is the termination of humanitarian parole programs, which typically helped protect individuals from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and other countries. In turn, citizens of these countries are unable to get on a path to safety in the U.S.
How the Executive Orders Impact Deportation Policies
A growing number of migrants face deportation with the new policies in place under the Trump administration. By revoking the legal status of citizens from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, over half a million migrants will be without legal help to maintain their immigration status in the U.S., leaving them with few options other than to either self-deport or face forced deportation.
Venezuela has agreed to continue accepting U.S. deportation flights, including detainees from Guantánamo Bay and other detention facilities. More migrants who haven’t applied for green cards, asylum, or other status will risk removal and deportation as the Trump administration expands its focus from immigrants with a criminal record to other illegal immigrants across the country.
How to Get Legal Help for Immigration Changes
As these and other immigration policy changes continue to impact immigrants in Chicago and all over the country, it’s important for individuals to get the legal assistance they need to protect their rights and avoid deportation and other risks.
With the help of a naturalization and citizenship lawyer, you may be able to overcome many of the challenges you might otherwise face. The right attorney can help you apply for lawful permanent resident status and other immigration statuses, represent you during removal hearings, inform you of your rights and work to protect them, and provide other legal services.
You might wonder, “How much do immigration lawyers charge?” or “What types of immigration cases do lawyers typically handle?”
A good attorney can answer these questions for you to ensure you know what kind of representation you’re getting, from details about consultation and the lawyer’s payment model to a plan to help you navigate the immigrant application process.
For help from experienced and reliable immigration lawyers in Chicago, turn to Khalaf & Abuzir, LLC, and speak with our legal team. Contact us today, and we’ll put you in touch with one of our attorneys.
