The Hindu: Published on 26th April 2025:
Why in News?
In his first 100 days after returning to office, President Donald Trump has aggressively moved to revoke or end humanitarian immigration programs introduced by Joe Biden.
Thousands of immigrants, including Ukrainians, Mexicans, and others, are losing legal status and facing deportation or pressure to 'self-deport'.
This marks a sharp escalation in U.S. immigration policy, with deportations, arrests, and fines seeing a massive rise.
Key Highlights:
End of Parole Programmes:
- Trump administration has stopped renewals and new applications under Biden’s "parole" programmes for migrants from Ukraine, Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
- 240,000 Ukrainians and 530,000 others risk losing their legal status.
Self-Deportation Push:
Migrants are being encouraged (or threatened) to leave voluntarily.
New efforts include the use of steep fines, detentions, and threats of imprisonment in notorious facilities like Guantanamo Bay.
CBP One App Rebranded:
- Biden’s CBP One app, once used to schedule legal border crossings, is rebranded to CBP Home.
- Migrants using it are receiving direct emails telling them: "It is time for you to leave the United States."
Massive Rise in Arrests:
ICE arrested 145,000 immigration violators within Trump's first three months — a steep rise compared to 113,000 in all of fiscal 2024.
Deportations initially dropped slightly due to different border management, but detentions and removals from inside the country have risen.
Reactions:
Democratic Party Leaders and immigrant rights groups have strongly criticized Trump’s measures as inhumane and excessive.
White House Defence:
- Trump’s spokesperson argues these steps are "restoring integrity" and "ending illegal pathways".
- They claim Biden’s programs were "illegal mass entry systems" misusing parole provisions.
Public Opinion:
Despite criticism, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump has 45% approval on immigration — his highest rating among policy areas.
Immigration Advocates' View:
- Experts say Trump’s crackdown targets ordinary migrants, not just criminals.
- Self-deportation policies are seen as forcing migrants to leave without due process.
Larger Context:
Immigration remains central to Trump’s political strategy.
The current policies reflect hard-line enforcement combined with attempts to undo all Biden-era leniencies.
Humanitarian concerns rise sharply with fears of families being separated and asylum seekers being sent back to unsafe countries.
Possible Consequences:
- Increased humanitarian crises as thousands become undocumented or stateless.
- Court battles challenging the legality of stripping parolees' status without review.
- Greater political polarisation in U.S. society ahead of upcoming elections.
Summary:
Trump’s new immigration policies are drastically reshaping America's handling of migrants, reflecting a strategy based on deterrence and strict border control. While earning political points with his voter base, humanitarian groups warn that the country’s moral standing and legal integrity are at risk.
