President-elect Donald Trump prepares to implement sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policies through executive actions on his first day in office.
According to Fox News, Trump plans to sign approximately ten executive orders on Monday, including directives to deploy military forces to the southern border, terminate Biden-era parole programs, and classify international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
The incoming administration's border security strategy represents a significant departure from current policies, targeting multiple aspects of immigration enforcement simultaneously. The comprehensive approach encompasses military deployment, wall construction resumption, and the reinstatement of Trump-era programs that were discontinued under President Biden.
The deployment order will assign U.S. troops to U.S. Northern Command, merging military resources with federal law enforcement and intelligence efforts. This new level of coordination is designed to streamline border operations and enhance security measures. The Defense Secretary is also tasked with presenting a Unified Command Plan that outlines the military's role in these efforts.
Incoming border czar Tom Homan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that border security must continue to be a top priority.
The executive actions will also mandate the immediate resumption of border wall construction, which had largely ceased under the Biden administration. This initiative accompanies the termination of several Biden-era parole policies, including the CBP One app system and programs allowing entry for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals.
The administration's aggressive stance extends to criminal organizations operating across borders. Trump's executive order will designate various groups, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This classification enables targeted actions against members and implements financial penalties.
The designation acknowledges these organizations' quasi-governmental control in certain regions and their role in facilitating criminal activities and drug trafficking into the United States. The order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to combat their operations effectively.
The new directives will reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols, commonly known as the "Remain-in-Mexico" policy. This program requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases proceed through U.S. immigration courts. The policy marks a significant shift from current practices that have allowed approximately 1.5 million migrants to enter through various parole programs.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump's nominee for DHS Secretary, will oversee the implementation of these policies. The administration's approach signals a return to stricter enforcement measures and a fundamental restructuring of border security protocols.
The transformation of the southern border's security infrastructure comes after several years of increased migration, which began in 2021 and persisted through 2024. Recent changes, including enhanced cooperation with Mexico and a June Biden executive order limiting asylum claims, had started to reduce border crossings.
President-elect Trump's Day One executive orders represent a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration and border security policies. The directives encompass military deployment, wall construction, terrorist organization designations, and the reinstatement of previous enforcement protocols.
The implementation of these measures, overseen by Tom Homan as border czar and pending DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, aims to address ongoing border security challenges through a multi-faceted approach targeting immigration policies, criminal organizations, and physical border infrastructure.
