(NewsNation) — President-elect Donald Trump fulfilled the crackdowns he’s long promised on securing the U.S. border by signing multiple executive orders around immigration on his first day in office.
Trump ran a campaign largely focused on immigration and the southern border, saying he would order the largest mass deportation in American history of people who crossed illegally.
“The border security measures I will outline in my inaugural address tomorrow will be the most aggressive, sweeping effort to restore our borders the world has ever seen,” Trump told attendees of a private dinner Sunday.
Trump declares national emergency at southern border
Trump on Monday evening signed a proclamation declaring a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, a move that will mobilize additional resources to the region.
The declaration will allow the Trump administration to deploy Pentagon forces and resources to help complete the construction of the border wall. An incoming White House official told reporters they could not specify how many troops might be sent to the border and that it would be up to the Defense Department.
Trump reinstates ‘Remain in Mexico’
Another one of the orders Trump signed Monday night included a broad array of actions intended to crack down on the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, including by reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy.
“Remain in Mexico,” formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols, requires individuals to await asylum proceedings in Mexico, regardless of their country of origin.
The order includes calls for the construction of a physical barrier along the southern border, as well as the deployment of “sufficient personnel along the southern border of the United States to ensure complete operational control.”
Trump end ‘catch-and-release‘ program
“Border czar” Tim Homan said the Trump administration will be ending the federal “catch-and-release” program, which allows immigrants who entered the country illegally to remain in the country as long as they are in the process for asylum.
“Stay in your homeland,” Homan told NewsNation last month. “Be safe. Crossing into this country illegally is very dangerous.”
Trump resumes construction on southern border wall
Trump began construction of the southern border wall during his first administration in an effort to prevent illegal crossings. Under the order, work would resume.
Trump designates cartels as global terrorists
After being elected, Trump revived a campaign vow to designate Mexico’s drug cartels as terrorist groups.
“I will immediately designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations,” Trump said.
While in office in 2019, Trump dropped the plan at the request of Mexico’s then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who said he wanted U.S. cooperation on fighting drug gangs.
Trump suspends refugee resettlement
Trump signed an order titled, “Realigning the United States’ refugee admission program to better align with American principles and American interests,” which effectively pauses refugee admissions for a minimum of three months.
Trump, who put tight limits on refugees in his first term, vowed to “suspend refugee resettlement” for four months as part of a broader effort to “immediately end the migrant invasion of America.”
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has brought in more than 3 million people since it was created by Congress in 1980 for refugees fearing persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group or political opinion.
Trump ends birthright citizenship
Trump said he would end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented people living in the U.S. — a provision that runs afoul of a constitutional guarantee.
The 14th Amendment guarantees American citizenship to anyone born in the U.S.
Only constitutional amendments, not executive orders or legislation, can change the Constitution. Trump said he intends to issue an executive order to end the practice, though executive orders cannot overturn constitutional amendments.
Over 30 other nations have unrestricted birthright citizenship rules like the U.S.
Trump to direct military to prioritize borders
Another order also seeks to lay the groundwork for greater military presence at the border, writing that it is “essential that the Armed Forces staunchly continue to participate in the defense of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
Trump to enhance vetting, screening
Trump signed an order that called for increased vetting and screening of migrants entering the United States, citing national security concerns.
“To protect Americans, the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those aliens approved for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests,” the order states.
An order deeming migration an ‘invasion‘
This order includes several provisions targeting those in the country unlawfully. The order also seeks to boost detention capacity in the U.S. to house migrants — something that comes as Trump has argued migrants should not be released into the country while awaiting determinations on their immigration status.
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.
