Summary of Trump’s Executive Order on Enforcement & Border Security

President Trump has issued two sweeping executive orders which change previous policies in reference to the enforcement efforts against illegal aliens and border security procedures. These memos are sweeping and will drastically alter the immigration landscape as we have known it previously. Some particularly important changes are highlighted below:

• Dramatic increase in expedited removal

  The memorandum calls for a massive expansion and detention by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain nearly everyone it apprehends including those with criminal convictions until they are removed or hold valid immigration status

• Near elimination of parole except in cases of national security or extreme humanitarian need

  The heads of USCIS, Customs and Border Protection and ICE are directed to exercise parole (allowing an alien found at the border to enter the United States) authority as instructed under the immigration statute only on a case by case basis.

• Directing ICE to dramatically expand partnerships with local police to deport more people
• Removing privacy protections for immigrants
• Hiring 10,000 more border patrol agents
• Changes in unaccompanied minor program focusing on ending one parent unaccompanied child status

  This will require “proper processing” of unaccompanied children, timely and fair adjudication of claims for relief from removal; and the safe repatriation of the child after removal proceedings are over

• Dramatically expanding enforcement priorities to include:
  1. Apprehension of any alien who has been convicted of ANY criminal offense, or any of the following
  2. Have been charged with any criminal offense that has not been resolved
  3. Have committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense
  4. Have engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation in connection with an official matter before a government agency
  5. Have abused any program relating to the receipt of public benefits
  6. Are subject to a final order of removal but have not departed
  7. Otherwise pose a risk to public safety or national security

This means that you will most likely be detained by the Immigration Service if you have committed any criminal acts or have a criminal record including minor offenses such as jay walking and also more serious offenses such as driving under the influence of liquor and driving without a license and other motor vehicle offenses.

Please contact this office if you would like a consultation to see how this new directive will affect your case.