US immigration policy shift: Trump Signs Executive Order to Crack Down on Sanctuary Cities
Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday to target “sanctuary cities” that defy his hardline immigration policies, as the US president approaches his first 100 days back in office. The order directs officials to publish a list of states and local authorities that “obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws” within 30 days, warning those named risk losing access to certain government funding.
Claimed Progress on Immigration
Trump has claimed major progress in honoring his election campaign promises to stem illegal border crossings from Mexico, which soared to all-time highs under his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. Trump’s spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt noted a 95% drop in encounters of undocumented migrants at the Mexico border, attributing the decline to Trump’s policies.
Targets of the Executive Order
The executive order targets “sanctuary cities” that typically prohibit local officials from telling federal agents about undocumented immigrants if they are at risk of deportation. The mayors of four such cities – Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York – were questioned over their immigration policies during a tense hearing at Congress in March.
Legal Challenges
Courts have upheld the legality of sanctuary laws, and a US judge ruled last week that Trump’s administration cannot withhold federal funds from authorities offering limited protections to undocumented migrants.
Immigration Rhetoric and Policy
Trump’s election campaign rhetoric about taking on alleged hordes of rapists and murderers resonated with American voters concerned about illegal immigration. The White House displayed placards with mugshots of immigrants accused of various crimes, and Republicans in the House of Representatives released a bill giving Trump powers to levy onerous immigration charges.
Still on US immigration policy shift
Deportation Rates and Border Security
Tom Homan, Trump’s point man on border security, claimed that “we have the most secure border in the history of this nation.” However, deportation rates have lagged behind Biden’s numbers, despite Trump’s promised campaign of the largest mass removal campaign in US history. The government has not released comprehensive data, but the Migration Policy Institute estimates that the US is on track to remove around half a million people this year.
Controversy and Criticism
Trump’s immigration policies have been met with criticism from judges, rights groups, and Democrats, who say he has ignored constitutional rights in rushing to deport migrants, sometimes without the right to a hearing. The controversy surrounding Trump’s policies has contributed to a decline in his popularity, with over 40% of Americans disapproving of him, according to a Washington Post-ABC opinion poll.
Crackdown on Fake Lawyers Giving Rogue Asylum Advice
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