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On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump, former U.S. president and leader of the Republican Party, was declared the winner of the presidential election. After a campaign filled with controversies, accusations, and promises, Trump will return to the White House with a clear focus on key issues such as the economy, national security, and especially immigration. In this article, we’ll examine how immigration became one of the central themes of his campaign, how his stance has evolved, and what we can expect from his immigration policies in his second term.
Immigration was one of the pillars of Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and remained a recurring theme throughout his first term. With the promise to “build the wall” along the U.S.-Mexico border and enforce stricter immigration policies, Trump garnered support from a significant portion of the electorate who viewed illegal immigration as a threat to U.S. security and the economy.
Trump emphasized that, if re-elected, he would complete the construction of the physical barrier along the southern border. He also promised a significant increase in funding for border patrols, as well as the use of new surveillance technologies, such as drones and sensors, to combat illegal crossings.
Trump proposed drastic reforms to the asylum system, intending to limit the number of applicants and speed up deportation processes. During his campaign, he committed to blocking entry for migrants who do not meet U.S. asylum requirements and proposed measures to discourage asylum seekers, including agreements with neighboring countries to serve as “safe third countries.”
One of the most controversial promises was Trump’s statement that he would adopt a “no entry” policy for certain countries he deemed a national security risk, arguing that uncontrolled entry from conflict regions could bring terrorist threats.
Trump has also talked about drastically reducing legal immigration through a merit-based system. This shift would prioritize skilled immigrants with specific professional abilities that contribute directly to the U.S. economy, rather than focusing on those entering under family reunification categories. In fact, Trump’s campaign emphasized the need to reduce family-based visas and increase those for highly skilled workers.
During his campaign, Trump insisted that one of his first actions would be to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants involved in crimes or immigration law violations. He also reiterated his promise to cut federal funding to “sanctuary cities,” which protect undocumented immigrants and refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
While it is difficult to predict every detail of the policies Trump will implement in his second term, the signs indicate that immigration will remain a top priority. His approach will likely focus on three pillars: building the border wall, tightening asylum laws, and drastically reducing legal immigration.
However, the political and social situation in the United States could affect the viability of some of his proposals. Congress may resist more extreme measures, such as wall construction, potentially leading to another federal budget conflict. Additionally, growing diversity and the pressure from human rights groups may prompt a broader debate about the implications of Trump’s immigration policies.
