Showing solidarity with immigrant communities in New Hampshire. Photo: Becky Field
The United States should welcome immigrants with dignity and ensure their rights are respected. Regardless of where we came from, all people should have the opportunity to build a good life and pursue citizenship in the U.S.
But today, the U.S. is moving in the opposite direction. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made several changes to immigration policies that will endanger the lives of millions of immigrants, violate their rights, and devastate families and communities.
As a Quaker organization, AFSC’s work is led by our belief in the inherent worth of all individuals. We join with people across the country who recognize that immigrants make our communities stronger. Together, we are mobilizing to against the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda. Fortunately, most people in the U.S.—74%—also want an immigration system that welcomes people and treats them with dignity, according to a 2024 poll YouGov fielded on behalf of AFSC.
Here’s what you need to know about the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. immigration system:
Expanding deportations
The Trump administration has begun to implement its plan for massive deportations across the U.S., putting families and beloved community members at risk for separation. The administration plans to use punitive measures—including withholding federal funds—against sanctuary cities and other localities and states. These are jurisdictions that have declared that their local law enforcement and other institutions will not collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport community members. The administration has also directed federal prosecutors to investigate and even bring criminal charges against state and local officials who refuse to cooperate with ICE.
Conducting raids in schools, hospitals, and other sensitive areas
The administration has ended a long-standing policy that discouraged ICE offers from conducting enforcement actions in sensitive areas. These areas include schools, medical facilities, places of worship, social service agencies, disaster relief sites, and public demonstrations. Protected spaces where people seek help, worship, study, and exercise their basic civil rights, could now be targets for ICE raids. The policy change could also deter immigrants from getting the emergency help they need and sending their kids to school.
Shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border
The administration has announced plans to close the Southern Border to people seeking asylum, effectively shutting out people seeking safety and opportunities in the U.S. Trump has declared a national border emergency, allowing him to deploy more troops to the area and redirect more funds and resources to further militarize border communities.
In addition, the administration has reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their U.S. immigration court hearings. It also shut down U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One mobile application, stranding people with existing appointments in Mexico. The app had previously allowed immigrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry—the only means for migrants to safely seek asylum.
Suspending refugee admissions
In his first day back in office, Trump signed an order to fully suspend the refugee program for at least four months. The swift change has meant thousands of refugees who had already been approved for admission—some already in transit to the U.S.—are now stranded in countries around the world. That includes hundreds of Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan and now fear for their lives.
Ending birthright citizenship
Through an executive order, the Trump administration is attempting to revoke citizenship from some U.S.-born children of immigrants. This right is protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. As of this writing, more than 20 states have already filed suit to challenge the order and uphold this fundamental right. A federal judge has already temporarily blocked the executive order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional."
Our Quaker values inspire us to speak out and act with love to end these inhumane policies. We must do all that we can to keep families and communities together and protect human and civil rights. We must be relentless in our efforts to build the welcoming, just future that we all deserve.
