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Understand immigration changes under the new administration

President Trump is now in office and has announced changes to immigration policies. Learn what changes are happening now, what may happen soon, and what they mean for you.

Updated February 5, 2025

The importance of good information

In uncertain times, false information spreads quickly. This can make people feel scared and confused. It is important to get facts from trusted sources, not rumors or social media. Also, think before you share information you are not certain about. 

Executive orders

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed several executive orders. These are decisions the president can make to change how the government works or how laws are enforced. Executive orders do not need approval from Congress. 

However, executive actions can take time to go into effect. Government agencies need time to update their processes, create instructions, and get the resources they need to make the changes. They may also face legal challenges. This means courts could delay or block the changes if they conflict with the Constitution or existing laws.

Stricter immigration policies

President Trump has promised tougher immigration policies and stricter enforcement. You can expect changes to how immigration applications are processed, including longer wait times, stricter rules to qualify, and higher fees for immigration benefits. 

Immigration enforcement involves multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Raids, detention, and deportation

President Trump’s executive orders have expanded immigration enforcement. More people will be put into immigration court proceedings, held in immigration detention, and deported from the U.S.

  • Immigration raids: ICE is carrying out immigration raids across the U.S. These raids often happen at workplaces, but they can also happen in public places like schools, hospitals, and religious centers. Raids will target undocumented immigrants, no matter how long you have lived in the country or if you have no criminal record. Even if you have lawful status, including U.S. citizenship, you may be impacted if you cannot quickly prove your status.
  • ​​Quick deportations without hearings: Expedited removal now applies nationwide. If you are an undocumented immigrant who has been in the U.S. for less than two years, you can be deported without a court hearing unless an immigration officer determines you might be eligible for asylum. Officers may not ask if you are afraid to return home, so you must share this information yourself even if they don’t ask directly.
  • Reduced local protections: The federal government plans to block local sanctuary city policies. Living in a sanctuary city may no longer offer you the same protections. 
  • Involvement of local law enforcement: Police and sheriffs may now help in immigration enforcement efforts. This means that any interaction with law enforcement could lead to immigration actions against you. 
  • End of “catch and release”: The government has ended the practice of releasing some immigrants from detention while they wait for court hearings. This means you may have to stay in detention until there is a final decision on your case.
  • More detention centers: The government is building more detention centers, particularly near the U.S.-Mexico border. These centers often have harsh conditions, and it can be hard to access legal help. They plan to put many more people in immigration detention.
  • Changes in immigration status: If you lose your immigration status and become undocumented because of recent policy changes, you will be at risk of deportation.
  • Harder for detained families to reunite: The government has ended the task force that worked to reunite families separated by previous policies. If your family is separated during a raid or detention, reuniting may be even more difficult.

Executive orders related to these changes:

Note: The Laken Riley Act was recently passed by Congress. It requires detention and deportation for undocumented people accused of, charged with, or who have admitted to crimes like burglary, theft, or shoplifting. 

U.S. and Mexico border

Recent executive orders have made crossing the U.S.-Mexico border and seeking asylum at the border much harder. Under the law, you still have the right to seek asylum but the U.S. government has declared a national emergency at the border, with stricter rules and more enforcement.

  • The CBP One app is no longer available. You can no longer use the CPB One app to schedule an appointment to present at a port of entry to seek asylum. All existing appointments have been canceled.
  • Increased military and border enforcement. The U.S. has declared a national emergency at the U.S. Southern border. You should expect increased detention, use of force, military presence, expanded wall construction, and surveillance tools like drones at the border. 
  • Remain in Mexico (MPP) is restarting. During the first Trump administration, this required some people seeking asylum at the southern border to stay in Mexico while waiting for their pending U.S. immigration court cases. No additional information on its implementation is known at this time. 

Executive orders related to these changes:

Humanitarian parole

Recent executive orders have ended or severely restricted many humanitarian parole programs. Humanitarian parole allows people to come to the U.S. temporarily for urgent reasons, like escaping danger or getting medical care. 

  • USCIS has stopped accepting applications that require Form I-134A. This includes Processes for CHNV, Ukrainian parole, CAM parole, and family reunification parole.
  • Processes for CHNV have ended. The sponsorship program for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela has been closed. You can no longer file new applications.
  • The Ukrainian parole program has been paused. You can no longer file new applications.
  • The Afghan parole program has not been changed. No specific announcements have been made yet. This will be updated as soon as more information is available.
  • If you currently have parole, watch for updates. Reports suggest the immediate termination of existing humanitarian parole for newcomers who entered the United States through the CHNV or U4U will be announced soon. If you do not have another status, you will face deportation. If you have a pending application for another immigration status, you may be able to stay while waiting for a decision. If you think you might qualify for asylum, consider speaking to a lawyer about applying.
  • Parole at the border will be extremely limited. Border officials will only grant humanitarian parole in rare emergencies, and it will be much harder to qualify. You will need strong evidence to meet the strict requirements. If you were previously eligible for parole, you may now face detention or deportation instead. 

Executive orders related to this change:

Refugee admissions

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which allows refugees to resettle in the U.S., has been suspended indefinitely as of January 27th, 2025. This means that most new refugee applications will not be processed, and the program is paused. The government will decide every 90 days whether to restart the program, but there is no guarantee if and when it will reopen. 

  • No refugees will travel to the U.S. If you are a refugee or Afghan SIV with an approved case waiting to travel to the USA, your travel will be put on hold. It could be rescheduled if the program is restarted but right now we do not know if or when that will happen.
  • No new case decisions. While the program is paused, overseas processing for resettlement in the U.S. will also be stopped.  
  • Rare exceptions. There may be some cases that are still approved on a case-by-case basis if you meet a limited exception. 
  • Private sponsorship is also closed. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can no longer apply to sponsor refugees through the Private Sponsorship program.
  • Resettlement services impacted. Services helping newly arrived refugees and Afghan SIVs have been ordered to stop. Local resettlement agencies are seeking alternative ways of supporting new arrivals.
  • Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs) efforts have ended.

Executive order related to this change:

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

An executive order makes it clear that the government will review current TPS designations. They may decide not to renew protections for your country when your current status expires. This means you could lose your work authorization and protection from deportation once the expiration date passes.

On February 1, 2025, the U.S. government announced they would end Venezuelan TPS for those with the 2023 designation and review the continuation of the 2021 designation. Learn more about how this will affect you

If you have TPS for another country, be sure to renew your TPS as soon as possible. You may also want to explore other legal options that you qualify for. You can apply for both TPS renewal and other immigration protections at the same time.

Executive order related to this change:

Public benefits

An executive order requested government agencies to review and stop providing benefits to people without legal status. You may lose access to public benefits if you are not authorized to receive them. Even if you are authorized to receive them, it may be more difficult to get them. Also, federal funding for local services like health care, education, or housing assistance may be reduced, which could affect the support you rely on. 

Executive order related to this change:

Birthright citizenship proposal

A new executive order aims to change the Constitutional rule for birthright citizenship in the United States. Birthright citizenship is the right to citizenship for all children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parent’s immigration status.

The president’s proposal would deny citizenship to children born on or after February 19, 2025, if either of these apply:

  • Their mother has lawful but temporary presence in the U.S. and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  • Their mother is unlawfully present in the U.S. and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. There have already been many legal challenges to delay or stop this proposal from going forward. While this order instructs government agencies to take steps to implement the change, the proposed changes to birthright citizenship are not in effect. Watch for future updates on this.

Executive order related to this change:

Possible travel ban

An executive order directs officials to review countries worldwide and identify those with insufficient security or vetting systems, potentially leading to restrictions on people from those countries entering the U.S. During his first term, Trump banned travel to the U.S. for people from several majority-Muslim countries.

Executive order related to this change:

Other expected changes

In addition to the Executive Orders, the Trump administration has shared additional plans in public statements. These plans are not yet certain or guaranteed but could affect many people if implemented.

  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): The administration has shared plans to end DACA or stop renewals. If you are a DACA recipient, get legal advice on renewing your status.
  • Public charge: Stricter rules may return for immigrants using public benefits, making it harder to apply for legal status or admission into the United States.

What you can do now

Here are important things to consider:

  1. Talk to an immigration lawyer: Find out your options for staying in the U.S.
  2. Know your rights: Learn what to do if federal immigration officers or local law enforcement stop you.
    • You have the right to remain silent and refuse to sign documents without speaking to a lawyer.
    • You have the right to refuse to let ICE officers into your home unless they show a signed warrant from a judge.
  3. Plan for emergencies: Be ready for situations like detention, deportation, or sudden separation from loved ones.
    • Decide who will care for your children or manage your finances.
    • Safely store and make copies of important documents like birth certificates, passports, and immigration records.
    • Carry proof of your lawful status, if applicable. Also, carry proof of residency in the U.S., such as leases, bank statements, or pay stubs, covering at least 2 years to avoid being placed in expedited removal.
    • Save contact information for a trusted lawyer and family members.
  4. Call an immigration hotline: to report raids, seek help if you are detained, or report missing migrants. 
    • National Immigration Detention Hotline: 209-757-3733
    • NAKASEC hotline: 844-500-3222
    • United We Dream report a raid: 844-363-1423
  5. Apply and renew for eligible benefits: Take action now to avoid losing your status or benefits.
    • Keep EAD valid and ensure status is renewed. 
    • If you are a Green Card holder eligible for citizenship, consider applying now.
    • If you are fully undocumented and not already in the DHS system, consult a lawyer first to understand the potential risks and benefits before applying.
  6. Avoid unnecessary international travel: If you are undocumented or have a pending immigration application, avoid travel that could complicate your case.
    • Ensure your visa and passport are up to date.
    • Monitor updates about travel policies that could affect you or your family. 
  7. Find local help in the U.S. or help outside U.S. Remember, you are not alone. Advocates and lawyers are working hard to protect immigrant communities.
  8. Protect yourself from scams: Learn how to avoid immigration scams trying to take advantage of these circumstances.
  9. Take care of your mental health: Stress and fear can be a lot to handle. Find support and seek help if needed. 

Save USAHello’s 2025 Immigration Guide as a place to find regular updates. Stay informed!


We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.

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