100 Days In: What Trump’s Return Means for Immigration in America
We’re now just over 100 days into Donald Trump’s second term, and immigration has once again taken center stage — fast. From the moment he returned to office, the administration has moved quickly to reinstate and expand many of the policies that defined his first term. But this time, it’s doing so with more coordination, more confidence, and less regard for the pushback. In just a few months, we’ve seen the revival of controversial programs, sharp reductions in legal immigration options, and a growing effort to bring local law enforcement into the immigration enforcement fold.
According to a recent analysis from the Brookings Institution, three themes have shaped this new wave of immigration policy: speed, restriction, and retribution. The administration is wasting no time, rapidly issuing executive orders, increasing deportation powers, and targeting humanitarian protections. One of the biggest changes has been the return of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are reviewed. At the same time, immigration officers have been given broader powers to remove people without seeing a judge — even those who have lived in the U.S. for nearly two years. Due process is being replaced with speed and volume.
But it’s not just enforcement at the border. Legal immigration has taken a major hit too. In the past three months, we’ve seen efforts to bring back the “public charge” rule, which discourages people from applying for benefits they’re legally entitled to. The administration is also making it harder for international students and skilled workers to get or keep visas, with new layers of paperwork and more delays than ever. Refugee admissions, which were already cut to historic lows in Trump’s first term, remain severely restricted — even as global humanitarian crises grow.
Perhaps most troubling is how the administration is pushing immigration enforcement into everyday life. Just this month, a federal judge blocked a Texas law that allowed local police to arrest people suspected of being in the U.S. without status. The Trump administration immediately criticized the ruling and expressed support for similar laws in other states. The message is clear: federal immigration enforcement shouldn’t just be ICE’s job — it should be everyone’s.
What does this mean for families, workers, and communities? A lot. Immigrant parents who’ve lived in the U.S. for decades now fear they’ll be separated from their children. People with Temporary Protected Status or DACA are seeing delays and uncertainty in renewals. U.S. citizens married to immigrants are facing longer processing times and more aggressive scrutiny on even the most routine green card applications. The chilling effect is real — fewer people are reporting crimes, fewer parents are enrolling kids in school, and many are avoiding hospitals out of fear of being targeted.
Still, there is hope. Courts are pushing back, and advocacy groups are stepping up. The next few months will be critical in shaping how far these policies go and how much they’ll be allowed to stick. Immigration attorneys, advocates, and affected families need to stay informed and proactive. The law is still on your side — but it’s more important than ever to get ahead of the process, know your rights, and have a plan.
At Lehigh Valley Immigration Law LLC, we’re committed to helping families navigate this shifting landscape. Whether you’re facing delays, looking to adjust your status, or simply want to understand what all this means for your future, we’re here to help.
If you have questions or concerns about how recent changes may impact your case, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re watching this closely — and we’re ready to stand with you.