Trump signals swift action on immigration, border wall, and asylum restrictions

On January 8, President-elect Donald Trump sat down with Senate Republicans to unveil what could only be described as a tidal wave of executive action.

The room buzzed with anticipation as Trump, flanked by his closest advisers, outlined an audacious plan to launch 100 executive orders, signalling an administration eager to wield power from Day One.

This meeting, as revealed to Axios, was more than a briefing — it was a declaration, per Caliber.Az.

While Congress wrestles with its own ambitious legislative agenda, Trump made it clear he wouldn’t be waiting for their cue, especially when it comes to immigration, his cornerstone issue.

Stephen Miller, the mastermind behind many of Trump’s immigration policies, took centre stage. He painted a vivid picture of how the administration plans to use executive power to reshape border control and immigration enforcement. 

One of the boldest moves discussed was the reinstatement of Title 42, a pandemic-era policy that allowed authorities to rapidly expel migrants at the border under the guise of public health concerns. The policy, which prevented countless migrants from seeking asylum, had been a cornerstone of border enforcement during COVID-19 before President Biden ended it in 2023. Trump’s team plans to bring it back with vigour.

But Title 42 was just the beginning. Miller outlined a broader strategy to tighten immigration controls. The administration intends to lean heavily on Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which enables state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants.

The border wall, a defining symbol of Trump’s first term, is also set to make a comeback. Plans include resuming construction, expanding detention facilities with soft-sided structures, and implementing stricter asylum regulations to curb entries.

By Tamilla Hasanova