Introduction

Since taking office, Trump has been going after immigration reform, first promising to go after illegal immigration. But his administration has mainly focused on legal immigration pathways, on refugees, asylum seekers and visa holders. Through executive orders and DHS policies, Trump has shut down programs that provide legal entry points into the US, and is questioning America’s long standing role as a safe haven for those in need.

Step 1: The First Blow – CBP One

One of the first things the Trump administration did was shut down CBP One, a phone app that allowed asylum seekers to schedule legal entry into the US. 30,000 people had used the app, following government guidance and waiting at the border for processing. Without warning, those individuals lost their appointments and were left stranded in harm’s way.

The app was supposed to create an orderly process for migrants at the US-Mexico border so they could legally seek protection under US and international law. This action is part of broader executive actions targeting immigration, which not only focus on unauthorized immigrants but also disrupt legal pathways for migrants.

Immigration advocates say this contradicts the idea that migrants should “get in line” legally.

Impact:

  • Thousands left without options: Many who had already arrived at the US-Mexico border were turned away.
  • Loss of organization: The app provided a structured way for migrants to enter legally, not chaotic border crossings.
  • More desperation: With no legal pathways left, more migrants will turn to smugglers or try to cross illegally.

Step 2: Executive Orders Targeting Asylum and Sponsorship Programs

After the Trump administration shut down CBP One, Trump issued executive orders that killed asylum and sponsorship programs.

The immigration crackdown Trump targets included legal pathways for migrants, not just illegal immigration. These measures risk undermining the United States’ role as a refuge for those seeking safety and opportunities.

Changes:

  • Asylum at the border banned: No new asylum claims allowed, period.
  • Private sponsorship programs shut down: Programs that allowed US citizens to financially support at-risk refugees were terminated.
  • Refugee resettlement halted: US stopped accepting new refugees, leaving over 10,000 approved individuals stranded.

Impact:

  • Families separated: Many in the US waiting for family members to join them were told their loved ones could no longer come.
  • Afghan allies abandoned: Afghans who worked with US forces and fled Taliban rule were left in limbo, including unaccompanied children.
  • Legal pathways disappeared: With asylum and sponsorship gone, those following legal process found no way forward.

Step 3: Cutting Off Services for Immigrants

In addition to blocking entry, the Trump administration, under the guise of homeland security, cut off services that helped immigrants and refugees already in the US adjust to life here.

Cuts:

  • Resettlement programs defunded: Organizations providing job placement, housing assistance and community support had their funding cut.
  • Legal aid for detainees stopped: DOJ barred lawyers from providing free legal help to immigrants in detention.
  • Children left to fend for themselves in court: Programs that ensured legal representation for unaccompanied minors were shut down and children were forced to go through complex legal process alone.

Consequences:

  • Higher deportation rates: Without legal support, more immigrants were expedited for deportation without a fair hearing.
  • More homelessness: Many refugees lost access to housing assistance and became homeless and poverty and instability.
  • No legal protection: Even those with a valid asylum or residency claim had no way to defend themselves.

Step 4: Safe Mobility Offices

One of the best Biden-era programs, Safe Mobility Offices, was also dismantled. These offices in South and Central America helped would-be migrants explore legal pathways before making the dangerous trip to the US border.

The dismantling of these offices is particularly problematic given the deeply outdated immigration system that fails to meet current humanitarian needs.

How Safe Mobility Offices Worked:

  • Provided information on legal immigration options.
  • Approved eligible individuals to travel to the US before they got to the border.
  • Managed migration flows with Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Guatemala.

Why This Matters:

  • Fewer dangerous border crossings: Many migrants chose legal routes instead of risking their lives crossing deserts or rivers.
  • Orderly process: Immigration officials could process applicants in an orderly fashion.
  • Less exploitation: Fewer migrants turned to smugglers and criminal networks.

With Safe Mobility Offices gone, migrants have lost one of the last remaining orderly and safe ways to seek refuge in the US.

Step 5: Deportations Without Due Process

Another disturbing trend is the increase in fast-tracked deportations even for those who entered legally.

DHS Expedited Removal Orders

  • Trump’s expanded authority for expedited removals allows migrants paroled under Biden to be deported without a formal hearing, even if they were promised temporary work permits.
  • DHS said it was restoring the original purpose of humanitarian parole which is for individual case-by-case decisions not mass admissions.

Step 6:  End Birthright Citizenship

  • On his first day in office, Trump signed executive orders to ban birthright citizenship, despite it being in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.
  • The order went after not just undocumented immigrants but also children born to parents on non-immigrant visas, including students and workers.
  • A federal court blocked the order calling it “unconstitutional on its face.”
  • This could leave children stateless if their parents’ home countries don’t recognize foreign-born citizens.

Step 7:  Parole Programs

Parole programs for humanitarian reasons or emergency situations have been a target of Trump’s attacks, who claimed that the Biden-Harris Administration abused the humanitarian parole program.

Republicans have argued Biden abused the humanitarian parole program by allowing a large number of migrants to enter the U.S. indiscriminately, rather than on a case-by-case basis.

Humanitarian Parole

  • The Biden administration used parole for refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine, and migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
  • Republicans claimed Biden overused the program and Trump ended parole for Latin American countries on his first day in office.
  • A new DHS order expanded expedited removal so migrants previously paroled can be deported quickly.

Afghan and Ukrainian Refugees

  • Many Afghans who worked for the US military and Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression were paroled under Biden.
  • Trump’s rollback of these programs puts at risk individuals who risked their lives for the US and are now being persecuted.

The Trump administration is going to terminate the legal status of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who were paroled under the Biden immigration policy. This will fully end a program that created legal pathways for over 530,000 migrants.

What was the CHNV Program?

Under the Biden administration, the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) program allowed migrants from these countries to enter legally if they had a financial sponsor. It was supposed to reduce illegal crossings by providing a legal option. But Trump officials claim the program abused parole authority.

How it worked:

  • Migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela could apply to enter legally.
  • U.S.-based sponsors had to provide financial support.
  • Approved applicants could get a work permit.

Trump Administration’s new policy

Changes:

  • Legal status of those paroled under CHNV will be terminated.
  • Those affected will be put in deportation proceedings if they don’t have another legal status (asylum, green card or TPS).
  • Number of people already transitioned to another status unknown.

What happens to affected migrants:

  • They will no longer have legal work in the US.
  • They will get a notice to appear in immigration court to start the deportation process.
  • Immigration agents, including ICE officers, have been authorized to deport those affected, in some cases through expedited removal.

Who might be protected?

Some migrants may be spared deportation if they are eligible for:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS):

  • Many Haitians and Venezuelans are under TPS which prevents deportation and allows work authorization.
  • But TPS is also under review and some protections have already been terminated. For example, a Biden-era extension for Venezuelans was just rescinded.

Special provisions for Cubans:

  • Cubans with parole status can apply for permanent residency under a Cold War law.

Asylum:

  • All nationalities can apply for asylum but they must prove persecution based on political beliefs, religion or other factors—a high legal standard.

Broader Immigration Crackdown

police, helmet, motorcycle, police motorcycle, police vehicle, vehicle, transportation, motorcycle helmet, crime, policeman, cop, patrol, enforcement, safety, security, law enforcement, police, policeman, policeman, policeman, policeman, policeman, law enforcement, law enforcement, law enforcement, law enforcement

This is part of a broader effort by President Trump to unwind Biden’s immigration policies. Other:

  • Asylum access restricted: A presidential order has severely limited the ability of migrants to apply for asylum.
  • ICE authority expanded: Immigration officers now have the power to deport unauthorized migrants, including non-criminals.
  • Military involved: The Pentagon has been deployed to help with border enforcement, including using military planes for deportations.
  • Refugee arrivals paused: The administration has stopped the arrival of refugees fleeing persecution abroad.

Critics say revoking legal status of people who followed US immigration rules will create chaos. Tom Jawetz, a former Biden DHS official, called it “needlessly cruel” and said it will destabilize the system not fix it.

As the administration wraps up its plans, the fate of over 500,000 CHNV migrants hangs in the balance. With deportation orders looming, many are now faced with tough decisions about their future in the US.

Immigration advocates criticize:

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, CEO of Global Refuge, says the policy change will undermine orderly migration and put families at risk.

She says closing legal pathways will force desperate migrants to use dangerous, illegal routes and benefit human trafficking networks and cartels.

Nayna Gupta of the American Immigration Council notes that with no “off-ramp” for parolees, thousands will lose status without a way to get residency. Gupta countered Republican claims by defending the Biden administration’s use of parole authority in immigration policy, arguing that the authority granted to the president allows for discretion in responding to urgent humanitarian crises.

What’s going on:

Migrants who entered legally under CBP One or sponsorship programs are being expedited removal, including those on student and employment visas.

Many are being denied a chance to see a judge which is a violation of their rights.

Deportations are happening before asylum claims can even be heard.

Questions:

  • Is the US prioritizing immigration based on wealth? Many think only those who can afford the expensive visa process will be allowed in.
  • Is racial bias at play? Critics say Trump’s policies favor some groups over others and racism.
  • Is there a “right way” to come in legally? With legal pathways gone, those who follow the rules have no options.

Conclusion: A World Without Legal Immigration?

The Trump administration’s approach to immigration is a 180 from previous policies. Instead of legal pathways while cracking down on unauthorized crossings, Trump is going for total lock down and keeping almost everyone out.

What this means for the future:

  • More border chaos: No legal alternatives means more people will try to cross unauthorized.
  • More deportations: Even legal immigrants could be removed.
  • Fewer protections: Vulnerable populations (children, refugees) have no options.

For many the question remains: Is America a place where people fleeing danger and seeking opportunity can come in legally? Under Trump’s policies, the answer is becoming no.