Asylum seekers arrive at the B and M Brownsville-Matamoros International Bridge, to attend their appointment with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on the day of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in Matamoros, Mexico January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril
Trump Administration Escalates Immigration Crackdown and Ends Federal Diversity Programs
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified its efforts to enforce immigration laws and eliminate diversity programs, implementing sweeping changes that mark a significant departure from previous policies. The latest moves, announced through executive orders and Justice Department directives, underscore Trump’s aggressive use of executive power to reshape federal priorities.
Criminal Investigation of Local Officials
In a memo obtained by Reuters, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed U.S. prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The directive targets officials in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, such as New York and Chicago, that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The memo emphasized that federal law prohibits state and local authorities from resisting “lawful immigration-related commands and requests.” Provisions in federal law could allow prosecutors to charge local officials with crimes such as defrauding the U.S. government or harboring undocumented immigrants.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the memo as a “scare tactic,” asserting that sanctuary laws are within legal bounds. About 44% of undocumented immigrants live in states with such laws, with additional populations in sanctuary cities and counties.
Expansion of Immigration Enforcement
Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency earlier this week, ordering the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. His administration has rescinded Biden-era restrictions on immigration arrests near sensitive locations such as schools and churches. It also expanded the authority of immigration officers to deport individuals who cannot prove they have been in the U.S. for more than two years.
In a related move, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes, such as murder.
Termination of Federal Diversity Programs
Trump has also dismantled federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Agencies have been ordered to shut down DEI offices and place program officials on leave. On Tuesday, the president rescinded a 1965 executive order signed by Lyndon B. Johnson that required federal contractors to use affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities.
The administration justified its actions by claiming DEI initiatives constitute “illegal discrimination and preferences.” Federal agencies have been tasked with identifying private companies receiving government contracts that may be subject to civil investigations.
Critics, including civil rights advocates, argue that eliminating DEI programs undermines decades of progress toward equality. These actions could have a chilling effect on diversity efforts beyond federal agencies, as private companies reevaluate their policies to avoid government scrutiny.
Public Reactions
Americans remain divided on Trump’s immigration policies. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that while 46% approve of his handling of immigration, 39% disapprove. Opinions on mass deportations are similarly split, with 39% supporting detention camps for undocumented immigrants and 42% opposing them.
The administration’s dismantling of DEI programs has also drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups, who view the move as a rollback of protections gained during the civil rights movement.
Reshaping Federal Bureaucracy
The administration’s aggressive posture extends to the federal workforce. On Tuesday, four senior career officials from the Executive Office of Immigration Review were abruptly dismissed, including Chief Immigration Judge Sheila McNulty. McNulty and others had been criticized by conservative groups for their handling of immigration cases.
International Reactions and Preparations
In Mexico, authorities have begun constructing large shelters in Ciudad Juárez to prepare for a potential influx of deported individuals.
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