After the signing of executive order, “Protecting the American People against Invasion,” by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 2025, there have been extreme changes to America’s immigration policies. This has primarily been focused on advancing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Diverging from Biden-era enforcement priorities, the Trump administration is broadening ICE’s focus to all who fail to register themselves with the U.S. government, regardless of criminal record. The executive order also limited temporary protected status through work permits, and expanded a program empowering local law enforcement to carry out the same duties as immigration officers.
The Trump Administration states they have deported more than 600,000 illegal immigrants since the president took office in January 2025. Compliant with the Trump Administration’s plan to deport immigrants regardless of criminal history, tracreports.org reported that data from November 2025 showed 73.6% of deported immigrants had no previous convictions. This diverges from the sentiments of the American people, with Pew Research Center stating 51% of U.S. adults thought only some immigrants should be deported, rather than all.
To reflect this drastic increase in detainment, over 100 more facilities were in use by the end of 2025 compared to the beginning of the year. Perhaps most famously, the Trump Administration began its utilization of El Salvador’s massive CECOT prison (Terrorism Confinement Center) after the President’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Said act was utilized by the Trump Administration to specifically target Venezuelan Immigrants suspected to be affiliated with gangs.
The classifications for potential “gang affiliation” have since been heavily criticized by the American public. Many immigrants and their families state they were detained based on their tattoos and clothing, which were said to be proof of gang ties.
ICE officials later stated tattoos were not the determining factor for gang affiliation. However, a government document that was later released showed Homeland Security Investigations highlighted specific clothing and tattoos, examples of which being stars and clocks, that officers would use to try to identify members of the gang Tren de Aragua.
One lawyer, Linette Tobin, hired for a client sent to El Salvador’s prison stated “I’ve seen [Department of Homeland Security’s] evidence. It is limited to this tattoo he has on his arm of a soccer ball with a crown on top. DHS says a crown tattoo is proof of gang membership.”
The concerns of proper due process not being provided to these deportees is coupled with the harsh conditions present in the previously mentioned detainment facilities. Accounts of abuse and assault have begun to circulate from detention centers across the nation. One recently constructed detainment center, Fort Bliss, accumulated 60 violations of federal detention standards within its first 50 days of operation. These violations include a lack of food, water, and medical care.
As the president’s second term progresses, so will America’s immigration policies.
“I think the people in charge have gotten a taste of power, and I don’t think they’re going to stop,” said one student who chose to remain anonymous. As the strength of ICE is increased through the deployment of the national guard to various states across the country, the rate of deportation is expected to increase even further.
