The Trump administration is intensifying its immigration enforcement strategy with sweeping efforts aimed at boosting deportation numbers and dismantling key protections long afforded to immigrants—both undocumented and lawfully present. From revoking humanitarian relief to fast-tracking removals, these aggressive actions signal a major shift in U.S. immigration policy with far-reaching consequences for millions of individuals and families.
Expanding the Deportation Net
At the close of the Biden administration, an estimated 40% of the approximately 14 million undocumented immigrants in the United States had some form of legal protection or work authorization. That landscape has changed dramatically. President Trump has moved swiftly to dismantle multiple Biden-era programs that shielded immigrants from deportation.
Among the targeted groups are:
-
Humanitarian parole recipients (CBP One entrants, Haitians, Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans – totaling over 1.4 million)
-
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders (including Cameroonians, Afghans, Haitians, and Venezuelans – over 600,000)
-
Others without protections (an estimated 8.4 million)
These efforts include revoking work permits, shortening TPS designations, and invalidating permissions granted through humanitarian avenues. Although some of these actions have been temporarily blocked by federal courts, others have already taken effect.
Targeting Asylum Seekers
In April 2025, the Department of Justice instructed immigration judges to swiftly deny asylum applications deemed unlikely to succeed—a move that spiked the asylum denial rate to a staggering 79%. This procedural pressure severely limits due process for those seeking protection and risks sending legitimate asylum seekers back into dangerous conditions.
While asylum remains a theoretically viable path to protection, the current system—already overburdened—now favors expedited denials over fair consideration.
Fast-Tracking Removals
The administration is also attempting to accelerate deportations by bypassing normal judicial processes. Two major changes are worth highlighting:
-
Expanded Expedited Removal
Previously limited to those apprehended near the border, expedited removal now applies to anyone arrested anywhere in the U.S. who cannot prove they've lived here for at least two years. These individuals may be deported without seeing an immigration judge. -
Use of the Alien Enemies Act
In an unprecedented move, the administration invoked a little-used 18th-century wartime law to deport Venezuelans accused of gang affiliation. While only 137 people were deported under this authority before the Supreme Court blocked further use, the action underscores the administration's willingness to stretch legal tools for enforcement.
Legal Immigrants Also Under Fire
Shockingly, the crackdown doesn't stop with undocumented immigrants. The administration has cast a wide net that includes legal residents and visa holders:
-
Student Visa Revocations: Over 1,500 student visas were temporarily revoked in a single month, many tied to pro-Palestinian activism. Though later reinstated, the chilling effect remains.
-
Green Card Holders at Risk: More than 13 million lawful permanent residents could face removal if accused of criminal conduct—even before any conviction.
What's Next?
If the current pace continues, ICE is projected to deport just over 300,000 people in 2025—a modest increase from the previous year, but far short of the Trump administration's stated goal of 1 million deportations annually. Immigration policy experts warn that meeting such a target would require a dramatic expansion of ICE resources, detention infrastructure, and international agreements for repatriation.
Final Thoughts from Saluja Law
At Saluja Law, we are deeply concerned by the legal and humanitarian implications of these sweeping policy shifts. The erosion of due process, the targeting of legal immigrants, and the removal of long-standing protections threaten the stability and rights of millions.
If you or a loved one are affected by these recent changes—or fear that you might be—we urge you to seek legal counsel immediately. The stakes are high, and navigating this evolving immigration landscape requires experienced guidance and strong advocacy.
Contact Saluja Law today for a consultation.
We stand ready to defend your rights.