The Wall 2.0 or the Future of US Immigration Policy under Trump

With Donald Trump securing a second term as president, one of the most pressing issues on the horizon is his approach to immigration.

As promised during his campaign, Trump aims to adopt a tougher stance on immigration enforcement, focusing on border security, mass deportations, and reducing legal immigration. To explore how Trump’s immigration policy is expected to evolve during his second term, Wyoming Star spoke to Kevin R. Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Law, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law, and Professor of Chicana/o Studies and expert in immigration law and policy and refugee law.

A key element of Trump’s immigration policy is the enforcement of existing immigration laws. Trump has expressed a strong commitment to the deportation of undocumented immigrants, with an ambitious goal of removing up to 11 million people.

“President-elect Trump has stated that the Biden administration has not effectively enforced the borders. He is likely to change many of the Biden administration’s immigration policies,” Prof. Johnson stated.

Trump’s plans for immigration are already in motion, as on November 10, 2024, he said Tom Homan, ex-acting director of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement,.

“…Naming of a Border Czar Tom Homan suggests that he [Trump] wants a point person to coordinate his immigration efforts,” Prof. Johnson said.

In his second term, Trump is likely to use the military and law enforcement agencies to assist in the mass deportation operation. Targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records and prior removal orders will be a priority. However, Trump has made it clear that even those with clean records—besides their violation of US immigration laws—will be subject to deportation. The challenge lies in locating and detaining millions of undocumented individuals, especially those who are in sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

“President-Elect Trump has promised to use detention as a major tool in immigration enforcement. His administration may seek to limit the ability of noncitizens to bond out of custody,” Prof. Johnson stated.

One of Trump’s most controversial promises during his first term was the construction of a border wall along the US-Mexico border. Despite facing significant opposition, Trump’s administration began building parts of the wall, and with his second presidency, it is expected that the construction will continue.

“It seems likely that President-Elect Trump will recommence the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border,” Prof. Johnson agreed.

Trump’s belief that a physical barrier is essential to preventing illegal immigration remains a cornerstone of his approach.

The question remains whether Trump will face further logistical and financial hurdles in completing the wall. However, with a second term, Trump’s team will likely push harder to secure funding and streamline construction efforts.

Trump’s stance on asylum seekers and refugees will also undergo changes. The administration will likely make it harder for individuals to seek asylum in the United States.

“There may be efforts to require asylum applicants to remain in Mexico while their claims are being decided,” Prof. Johnson stated.

Refugee resettlements are also expected to decrease, particularly from countries with political unrest or human rights violations, such as Afghanistan, Central America, and the Middle East.

The tightening of asylum laws will likely make it more difficult for migrants to claim asylum or be granted refugee status.

Another major area of focus under Trump’s second term will be his stance on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Trump has opposed DACA and the DREAM Act in the past, and it is likely that his administration will continue efforts to end DACA, further complicating the future for Dreamers—young undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children.

In addition to DACA, Trump has promised to reduce legal immigration. Family-based immigration and employment-based visa programs, such as the H-1B and green card systems, will likely face tougher scrutiny.

“The requirements for all visas will likely be tightened,” said Prof. Johnson.

Trump’s mass deportation plan, which aims to remove millions of unauthorized immigrants from the country, could have far-reaching consequences for industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor. Agricultural, food processing, and construction industries, for example, may experience labor shortages as a result. While Trump argues that the removal of undocumented workers would open up jobs for American citizens, critics warn that this could lead to higher costs and potential disruptions in essential sectors of the economy.

The plan’s potential economic impact could be significant, and the logistics of managing mass deportations—including costs and coordination with foreign governments to secure deportation flights—will be a challenge for the Trump administration. However, Trump’s hardline stance on immigration is expected to resonate with his base, as he positions these actions as essential for protecting American workers and upholding the rule of law.