President Donald Trump has moved quickly to dismantle former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies, targeting the parole programs that allowed more than 1.4 million migrants to enter the United States. By revoking these programs, Trump has authorized the deportation of those who entered under Biden’s policies, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to immigration.
The programs eliminated by Trump’s administration include the CBP One app, which facilitated the entry of over 936,500 individuals, and the CHNV humanitarian parole program, which brought in 531,690 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These programs, intended as emergency measures, were heavily criticized by Trump officials as unlawful loopholes. Critics argue that these policies served more as employment schemes for industries like manufacturing and warehousing rather than providing genuine humanitarian aid.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already issued memos signaling that migrants who entered under these programs are now eligible for deportation if encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump has also reinstated his earlier immigration policies, including the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are processed. On the day of his inauguration, Customs and Border Protection temporarily shut down the port of entry in downtown El Paso, signaling the administration’s intent to reassert border control immediately. Deportation flights have already begun, with many migrants being sent to Mexico and Guatemala.
Trump’s policies have already sparked backlash from immigrant rights groups and legal organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed lawsuits, accusing the administration of bypassing due process and pursuing a mass deportation agenda. ACLU attorney Anand Balakrishnan argued that the policies are designed to “rip communities apart” and circumvent constitutional protections.
Meanwhile, Mexico has begun preparing for the influx of deportees, erecting processing facilities in border cities like Ciudad Juárez. The Trump administration remains resolute, emphasizing its commitment to restoring order at the border and ending what it views as the exploitation of immigration laws under Biden.
This policy shift is expected to face intense legal challenges and political resistance, but Trump’s administration has signaled its determination to enforce strict immigration measures without delay.
