Q#1: President Trump was sworn in on January 20th, 2025. So far, he has signed multiple Executive Orders and made over eighty directives regarding Immigration, what do they say?
A#1: The Executive Orders that were signed on January 20th, 2025 rescinded the previous Executive Orders that President Biden had signed on his first day in office on January 20th, 2021. Essentially, Trump’s Executive Orders reinstated what he had already signed back in 2017 and added to them. The main issues these Executive Orders address are:
- Restarting construction of the Border Wall along the Southern Border of the US and Mexico;
- Declaring a National Security Emergency at the Southern Border;
- Reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy for Asylum Seekers;
- Terminating Biden’s various Humanitarian Parole Programs;
- Declaring anyone without status in the US is now an Enforcement Priority; and
- Trying to end Birthright Citizenship.
Q#2: What effect will these Executive Orders have, and will he sign any future Executive Orders?
A#2: Donald Trump ran for President on the platform of Immigration by stating that he would stop people from coming to the United States and do whatever he could to deport people without status that were already here. He is now following through on that promise, but he has an impossible task given his lack of resources, the vast number of people in the US illegally, and the reality that many of those people have been here for many, many years and are making large positive contributions to the American economy and society.
Q#3: If I am present in the US without status, what makes me a priority for deportation?
A#3: President Trump’s current focus is on people with serious criminal issues, prior Immigration history (specifically prior deportations), and people who have recently entered the United States. However, he will be expanding the dragnet over time.
Q#4: What should I do to avoid being detained by ICE?
A#4 Don’t break the law! 99% of people that end up in the hands of Immigration broke the State law, ended up in jail, then were picked up by ICE and started Deportation Proceedings. This is where the majority of people in the Deportation process start…picked up from jail after being arrested and charged with driving drunk, domestic violence, drug possession, or another criminal issue. Although there is a lot of talk about raids at workplaces, or raids looking for a specific undocumented person, the majority of people in the Deportation process broke the State law and ended up in Federal detention.
Q#5: What should I do now?
A#5 If you have had contact with the State Police or with ICE, Customs and Border Patrol, or USCIS at any time or any place since entering the United States, you should contact an Immigration Attorney now.
Eamonn P.S. Roach is an attorney of the firm Roach & Bishop, LLP in Pasco, Washington, who practices immigration law. This information does not constitute legal advice. It is possible that this information does not apply to you. Each case depends on specific facts. If you have questions regarding the immigration laws that you would like answered in this column, please send them to: Eamonn P.S. Roach, 9221 Sandifur Pkwy, Suite C., Pasco, WA 99301, phone: (509) 547-7587, fax: (509) 547-7745; or email eroach@roachlaw.com
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