The 2024 election will have major consequences for immigration policy in the United States. The Eagan blog has already talked about:

• The different policy positions and plans from each candidate (read here)
• The goals of Project 2025 and what they mean for immigrants in the United States (read here)
• Anti-Immigrant laws already taking effect in some states (read here)
• President Biden’s recent Executive Order expanding parole options for undocumented immigrants (read here)

The “immigration crisis” is one of the most divisive topics in this election and in U.S. politics in general right now. Whoever becomes president on January 20, 2025, there will still be political forces at work pushing for extreme changes in immigration enforcement. However, the potential consequences of Donald Trump taking office again should not be ignored.

As president, Trump will have more power to push an anti-immigrant agenda. His advisors have outlined a variety of planned changes that require no approval from Congress, avoiding much of the opposition that stopped his administration from enacting these policies before. This means change could begin quickly once Trump takes office and require time-consuming legal processes to be stopped.

If you are an immigrant living in the United States, Eagan Immigration urges you to stay informed. In this post, we address some of the reasons you should be taking measures to ensure your immigration status is as secure as possible, as soon as possible.

1. Deportations Could Increase, and the Deportation Process Could Get Worse
   • Trump’s campaign has promised to increase deportations to 10x the current rate and expand the resources of ICE to allow for more raids and arrests. Considering deportations are already high, this move would affect millions of immigrants living in the U.S.
   • The Trump campaign has suggested they will fast-track deportations, meaning those arrested will have little to no opportunity to plead their case before being returned to their country of origin.
   • Trump has suggested creating more holding facilities to handle the massive demand his policies would create. Even existing migrant detention facilities are reportedly plagued by poor conditions, mistreatment, and mismanagement – the suggested temporary facilities are unlikely to be better and have even been characterized as “internment camps.”
   • Despite what their critics say, Democrats are not soft on immigration. In fact, deportations were higher under Obama than in Trump’s first term, and under Biden-Harris, multiple recent initiatives have aimed to limit unauthorized crossings at the border.
2. Eligibility changes
   • Immigration policies and requirements for specific immigration statuses can change at any time, regardless of the election cycle. What you qualify for today could change in a few months. If you have an opportunity now, take advantage of it before it changes.
   • For example, in June 2024, the Biden-Harris administration issued emergency orders to address recent surges in border crossings – these orders reduce who is eligible for asylum and speed up the process of removing them.
   • The Trump campaign and Project 2025 plan to reduce, restrict, or end many other existing humanitarian immigration programs such as DACA (Dreamers), Asylum, T Visas (for victims of trafficking), Temporary Protected Status, and President Biden’s recently announced parole program.
   • Trump would also reduce or restrict many other forms of legal immigration, such as student visas and work visas, by using caps, public health mandates, or other strategies to reduce immigration from targeted countries and ethnic groups.
   • Trump has also suggested strict ideological screening for Visas and renewals – meaning applicants can be rejected for their political views or affiliations, potentially even for participating in protests that don’t align with conservative politics.
3. Processing times at USCIS are already long and could get longer
   • The can be years for many USCIS immigration applications, especially humanitarian applications like VAWA and T Visas. Currently, applications for green cards are taking from 8 months to more than 2 years. This is already a good reason to get your application in as soon as possible.
   • Under any administration, wait times are likely to continue increasing if politicians continue to resist funding pragmatic improvements to our immigration system.
   • The Trump campaign has suggested it could use the backlog at USCIS to justify refusing new applications for an undetermined period. Currently, applicants are protected from deportation while their applications are in process – this would mean anyone waiting for applications to re-open would be vulnerable.
4. Financial Consequences

• Waiting can be pricy. With prices of household goods soaring, it might not feel like the right time to invest in legal representation. However, USCIS fees are subject to change and the more complex securing your status becomes, the higher legal fees may go.
• If you don’t have proof of legal status, it’s simply harder to earn a fair wage. Your opportunities are limited, and employers can take advantage of you if they know you have few options. As it becomes harder to seek legal immigration status – especially as an undocumented immigrant – this reality will only become more inescapable.
• The increased risk of arrest or deportation also carries financial consequences – you may be forced to hire a lawyer or cover travel expenses or shelter after being returned to your home country, all without your regular income.

5. Family Separation

• • The Trump Administration famously began separating families at the border under his first term, and some families are still trying to find each other today as a result. While this practice has currently been stopped by the courts, Trump has suggested he would find a way to restart this policy. It’s not clear if this practice could extend to families caught up in his proposed mass deportation plans.
  • Before Trump began separating families at the border, “Family Separation” already existed – when parents are deported, their children in the U.S. can end up left behind. Losing status, being arrested or deported could mean being separated from your family and loved ones in the United States, potentially for years. Simply put, we want to do everything possible to stop that from happening.

6. Uncertainty

• • Public opinion among voters favors immigration reform, one way or another. According to Pew Research polls, 8 in 10 Americans believe the federal government is doing a bad job managing the U.S.-Mexican border. What they believe should be done about it differs, but almost everyone agrees change is needed.
  • We just don’t know what the next presidential term will look like. Because of the intense focus on immigration, whoever is elected will likely push for major changes that will almost certainly include more funding and resources for immigration enforcement.
  • Living with uncertainty is a major source of stress for many of our clients. In the coming months before the election, this uncertainty and stress will likely only get worse. Finding your path to stability and legal status may not be as hard as you think – and the sooner you take your first step, the better.

We don’t know what the future will bring, but we do know that the best way you can protect yourself if you are currently undocumented in the United States is to fix your papers and secure your legal status. Call Eagan Immigration today at 202-709-6439 for a free case evaluation or schedule one at this link: Schedule Appointment with Eagan Immigration (as.me)