The Trump Administration’s Migration-Related Policies: Causes, Effects, and Future

Executive Summary 1 This article introduces a special edition of the Journal on Migration and Human Security on the causes, effects, and future of the second Trump administration’s “migration-related” policies, a term meant to encompass U.S. legal immigration, enforcement, refugee, asylum, development, and humanitarian assistance programs. In outlining the 11 studies comprising the collection, this article examines: The myriad effects of the administration’s policies on individuals, communities, and institutions, as revealed by original research, legal analysis, and reporting. Their reception in U.S. courts, Congress, and public opinion, which may serve as a bellwether to their direction and future. The rationale offered for these policies and the rhetoric deployed in support of them. The collection emerged as the Trump administration: Slashed U.S. foreign aid, including development and humanitarian assistance programs. Pursued a mass deportation and detention program of unprecedented scope, ambition, and cost. Sought to make conditions so harsh, coercive, and unsettled that U.S. undocumented residents and other targeted non-citizens would “self-deport.” Instituted largely unprecedented bans and barriers to legal immigration. Eviscerated the nation’s refugee resettlement program. Eliminated the one mechanism for asylum-seekers at the border to access the U.S. asylum system, removed asylum seekers without a hearing, placed them in expedited removal, and adopted exclusionary legal processes and requirements. Depopulated U.S. temporary protection and humanitarian programs, exposing more than five million formerly “legal” residents to possible removal. Transformed the immigration courts into an immigration enforcement tool. Exhibited disdain for the rule of law, U.S communities that oppose its mass deportation policies, and the contributions of refugees and immigrants to the nation’s life. Eviscerated watchdog and investigative institutions and units, which are charged with upholding standards and with documenting, investigating, and offering a check on abuses against immigrants. The special edition draws from diverse disciplines and fields, and covers a range of issues—border control, migration deterrence, overseas development, humanitarian assistance, mass deportation, detention, refugee protection, asylum, statelessness, and the treatment of unaccompanied minors. It explores the response of targeted communities to the administration’s policies and the effect of these policies on institutions, partnerships, and systems built over decades. Finally, it offers original research and evidence-based policy proposals to guide future administrations, Congress, states and localities, civil society institutions, and the public.