From his desk in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump swiftly signed a series of executive orders targeting immigration, including declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency.
These included an order redefining birthright citizenship and another declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency, aligning with his campaign promises to fortify the US-Mexico border.
However, some measures, particularly those aimed at changing birthright citizenship, are expected to face significant legal challenges.
Earlier that day, thousands of migrants had their immigration appointments canceled after the administration discontinued CBP One, an app used to schedule entries at border ports, as a part of national emergency.
In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to “halt all illegal entry” and deport millions of “criminal aliens.”
He also designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations through an executive order.
During a previous event at Washington’s Capital One Arena, Trump rescinded nearly 80 executive actions from the Biden era, calling them “radical.”
In his inaugural address, he emphasized his duty to defend the nation from threats and invasions.
As part of the broader immigration plan, officials indicated that the president would direct the Department of Defense to secure the border, deploying additional resources and personnel, including counter-drone technology.
Officials described these actions as the foundation of a “common sense immigration policy.”
While specifics of the birthright citizenship order are unclear, it aims to prevent children of undocumented migrants in the US from automatically gaining citizenship. Since birthright citizenship is constitutionally protected, altering it would require a two-thirds majority in Congress, though further details on Trump’s approach were not provided.
The administration also terminated CBP One, the app used by migrants to schedule asylum appointments at the border, which Biden officials had credited with reducing detentions since its launch in January 2023.
Now, the Customs and Border Protection website states that CBP One is “no longer available,” with users notified that their existing appointments are void.
Reports indicated the Biden administration had scheduled about 30,000 appointments via CBP One in the upcoming weeks, while estimates suggested up to 270,000 migrants in Mexico were awaiting entry through the app.
In Tijuana, migrants expressed despair over the app’s cancellation.
“I hope God touches his [Trump’s] heart,” said Oralia, a Mexican woman who fled cartel violence with her epileptic son and had been waiting seven months for a CBP One appointment.
Immigration advocacy groups criticized Trump’s orders. Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, called the orders “disappointing but not surprising,” arguing they would harm families and weaken the economy.
Greisa Martinez Rosas, executive director of United We Dream, warned that the orders demonstrate the administration’s intent to harm immigrant communities, urging elected officials to oppose the measures publicly.