Trump Administration’s Historic Move on Immigrant Legal Status
In a sweeping policy change, the Trump administration has rescinded legal protections for approximately 1.6 million immigrants within an 11-month period. This marks the largest revocation of deportation protections for legal immigrants in the history of the United States.
SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
President Trump’s intensified efforts to crack down on immigration have resulted in over 600,000 deportations this year alone, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security. Beyond this, the administration has targeted individuals who entered the U.S. through legal channels, thrusting over 1.6 million immigrants into an uncertain status, heightening their fears of deportation. NPR’s immigration reporters, Ximena Bustillo and Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, provide insight into this situation. Welcome, both of you.
XIMENA BUSTILLO, BYLINE: Hey, Scott.
SERGIO MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN, BYLINE: Hey.
DETROW: Ximena, this figure of 1.6 million is staggering. Who exactly does this affect?
BUSTILLO: This number encompasses individuals who entered the U.S. legally through various immigration avenues, particularly during President Biden’s tenure. These include parole programs, visas, asylum, and refugee admissions. While this figure is an estimate, immigration advocates believe it might be an underestimation. Todd Schulte from FWD.us states, “These were, like, legal pathways. People, like, did the thing the government asked them to do, and this government went and is kind of preemptively trying to revoke that.”
Schulte argues that the administration’s actions aim to revoke status and work authorization, complicating lives further. The Department of Homeland Security responds that “the American taxpayer will no longer bear the financial burden of unlawfully present aliens.” Some affected individuals have left, while others seek new legal avenues or face detention and deportation.
DETROW: Sergio, can you elaborate on the immigration programs that have been canceled this year?
MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN: Certainly. As Ximena mentioned, these programs offered legal entry into the U.S. Three significant programs come to mind. First, the CBP One, a Biden-era parole initiative, allowed migrants to apply for entry appointments while in Mexico, eventually facilitating their entry to seek asylum. From 2023 to January 2025, over 936,000 individuals benefited. Among them is Grebi Suarez, a Venezuelan barber who secured his appointment just before Trump’s presidency and is now in California. Despite receiving his Social Security number and work permit, Suarez remains anxious due to governmental warnings to his peers about potential deportation.
DETROW: Besides CBP One, what about the humanitarian parole programs?
MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN: These programs provided parole for half a million people from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, requiring sponsorship by family or friends. This program’s cancellation was controversial. I spoke with Anne-Valerie Laveus, who sponsors her brother and nephew from Haiti. She refutes claims of system abuse, stating, “I’m sponsoring them, so it’s out of my pocket. Whatever I set out – that I said I was going to do is what I did. They live under my roof. They have everything within my house. There’s no government aid.”
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is another affected program, historically aiding those from conflict or disaster-ridden countries. By March, nearly 700,000 individuals lost TPS, predominantly Venezuelans.
DETROW: Ximena, given Trump’s vocal opposition to both legal and illegal immigration, why target these long-standing legal pathways?
BUSTILLO: The administration cites national security as its rationale. The State Department revoked 85,000 visas, including over 8,000 student visas, citing reasons from DUIs to thefts. A State Department official stated, “people who pose a direct threat are not wanted in the country.” They’ve also acted against visas for those whose speech they claim contradicts American values. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized, “Having a visa in the United States is not a right. It is a privilege. And the secretary of state, if you are deemed contrary to our country’s foreign – national interest, has the right to revoke that privilege.”
Congress remains inactive on legal immigration reforms, enabling the administration to dismantle programs it deems unnecessary.
DETROW: This situation seems unprecedented. Has anything comparable occurred before?
MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN: The comprehensive cancellation of these programs indeed sets a precedent, and it might just be the start. Advocates expect more deportations and status revocations by 2026. Thousands of Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion and joined the U.S. through the Uniting for Ukraine program are concerned, especially after its temporary pause this year. Additionally, TPS for several countries will expire next year, potentially affecting thousands more. This is alongside the continued deportations of individuals deemed illegal immigrants.
DETROW: Thanks to Ximena Bustillo and Sergio Martínez-Beltrán for their insights on this evolving immigration landscape.
MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN: You’re welcome.
BUSTILLO: Thank you, Scott.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
