January 20, 2025: America’s Borders Restored.

By Ernest Francis

Donald Trump is a seminal figure in American history – and not just for his political acumen.
His actions on immigration are part of the profound changes that he will bring to the United
States. While America lost its borders in January of 2021, 2025 has seen their restoration. This
has been the result of several actions by Trump – actions that are a radical and welcome departure
from the policy of Biden. It restores American pride and dignity – not everyone who wants to
enter America is entitled to do so.
First, in a truly revolutionary action, Trump ended “birthright citizenship”, i.e. the rule that those
born on American soil are, for that reason alone, American citizens. Now at least one of the
parents must be either a lawful permanent resident or a citizen of the United States for the child
to have citizenship at birth. This has been challenged in court and will likely need to be decided
by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Second, while construction of the border wall will resume, another bold and unprecedented
action is the use of the US military to prevent unlawful entry into the country. This treats the
massive unlawful entry into America as what it is – an invasion.
Third, Trump has ended Catch and Release. Under Biden, those coming across the border and
apprehended were simply given a court date (often years in the future) and allowed to remain in
the US. Now those crossing illegally can be summarily deported without being allowed to see a
judge. Also Trump’s orders further provide that those here illegally are to be detained instead of
being released.
Fourth, Trump has temporarily suspended the refugee admissions program for 90 days. This
means that no applications for asylum will be considered during that time, although the
Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may allow such applications depending on the fact of
each case. Trump has also ended those programs that allowed migrants from Cuba, Haiti,
Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the country automatically. Finally, Trump ended the “CBP
One” app, under which those coming to the United States could use the app to set appointments
for asylum application upon their arrival at the border and enter the country following that
appointment.
Fifth, Trump has reinstated remain in Mexico for any asylum applications. Under Biden, those
claiming asylum were simply allowed to enter the country with adjudication deferred. The date
for adjudication was almost always years in the future. Many applicants never showed for the
hearing on the asylum application, and most applications were denied. In the meantime, after the
asylum application had been pending for six months, those seeking asylum would receive a work
permit.
Sixth, the order requires collection of DNA and other identification for those seeking to enter the
country illegally. This will insure that any claimed familial relationship with persons already
here actually exists.
Seventh, the Secretary of State (within 14 days after January 20) must make a recommendation
as to whether cartels and other organizations – such as Ms-13 and Tren de Aragua – should be
designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Those seeking asylum would also undergo
heightened scrutiny to insures they posed no treat to Americans.
Eighth, Trump has ordered the deportation of those already illegally present in the United States.
The department of homeland security (at Trump’s direction) began a series of well-publicized
“raids” to capture those here illegally and repatriate them. While these raids target those here
who have been convicted of crimes, even those present with the criminals – but not convicted of
crimes – will be deported. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to enter into
agreements with state and local goverments for those governments to investigate, apprehend, and
detain those not here lawfully. The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security are
authorized to bring whatever civil and criminal actions against sanctuary jurisdictions. Illegal
aliens here now are required to register, and they faces criminal and civil consequences for
failure to do so.
Preliminary indications are that these measures are having considerable effect. According to Fox
News, in the seven day period after Trump’s inauguration, there were 7,287 migrant encounters
at the southern border, an average of 1,041 encounters per day while during the last week of the
Biden administration 20,086 encounters occurred, which is an average of 2,869 per day.

Ernest Francis, is a legal analyst, holds a J.D. from Georgetown University and an LL.M. from Boston University School of Law.  He practiced law for many years in various statutory and procedural areas before transitioning to his current endeavor of review, commentary, and analysis regarding issues of public policy.

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