Executive Order 14165
Securing Our Borders
Signed on January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14165, which implements sweeping immigration enforcement measures, including the construction of a border wall, expanded detention of migrants, and the resumption of the Migrant Protection Protocols. It also orders the termination of certain parole programs, increased cooperation between federal and state law enforcement, and the prioritization of criminal prosecutions for immigration violations.
đź”— Read the Executive Order on the Federal Register
đź”— Read the White House Announcement
What You Should Know
This order reinstates harsh immigration policies that were previously deemed ineffective and inhumane.
The executive order mandates the return of the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forced asylum seekers to wait in dangerous conditions outside the U.S. while their cases were processed. Human rights organizations have documented widespread violence, kidnappings, and exploitation of migrants under this policy. The order also eliminates the use of the CBP One app, which was designed to streamline legal pathways for asylum seekers, effectively cutting off access to safe and orderly processing.
The order prioritizes mass detention and deportation over legal due process.
The administration directs the Department of Homeland Security to detain all migrants apprehended at the border until their removal, reviving the controversial “zero tolerance” approach. Immigration detention centers, which have been plagued by reports of overcrowding, medical neglect, and human rights abuses, will see a significant expansion. The order also emphasizes rapid deportations, which could violate international asylum protections by denying individuals a fair hearing.
State and local law enforcement are being deputized to enforce federal immigration laws.
This executive order strengthens partnerships between federal agencies and state and local law enforcement to detain and remove undocumented immigrants. Similar policies in the past have led to racial profiling, unlawful detentions, and a breakdown in trust between immigrant communities and local police. Studies have shown that such cooperation can make communities less safe, as immigrants fear reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement.
The order eliminates legal pathways for vulnerable populations while failing to address the root causes of migration.
The termination of parole programs, including the “Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans,” cuts off a lifeline for individuals fleeing violence and humanitarian crises. By prioritizing punitive measures without addressing the underlying causes of migration—such as political instability, economic hardship, and climate change—this order does nothing to create a long-term solution.
Who Wins?
Private Prison Corporations and Detention Center Operators
The expansion of immigration detention guarantees higher profits for private prison corporations that run many of these facilities. These companies have long lobbied for policies that increase detention, despite documented cases of human rights abuses, poor medical care, and inhumane conditions in their facilities.
Right-Wing Politicians and Anti-Immigration Groups
This executive order aligns with the hardline immigration agenda of far-right groups that have long advocated for mass deportations and border militarization. It provides political talking points for those pushing an anti-immigrant narrative, despite evidence that immigrants contribute positively to the U.S. economy and society.
Smugglers and Human Traffickers
By cutting off legal pathways for migration, this order will likely increase reliance on dangerous, illicit smuggling routes. Migrants who are denied legal entry often turn to traffickers who exploit their desperation, putting them at greater risk of violence, extortion, and death. Â
Who Loses?
Migrants and Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers, many of whom are fleeing violence and persecution, will be forced into unsafe conditions or rapidly deported without due process. The order disregards international obligations that guarantee the right to seek asylum, leaving vulnerable populations at risk of harm.
Border Communities and Local Economies
Harsh immigration crackdowns have historically disrupted local economies that rely on immigrant labor. Many border towns also see increased tensions and racial profiling as law enforcement is directed to focus on immigration enforcement over community policing.
U.S. Taxpayers
The expansion of border security infrastructure, mass detention, and deportation programs will cost billions in taxpayer dollars without addressing the actual drivers of migration. Funding could instead be used to improve immigration courts, expand legal pathways, and invest in diplomatic solutions that reduce the need for irregular migration.
Families and Children
Family separations could rise under this order, as mass detention policies do not exempt families or children. Past policies of family separation under the Trump administration were widely condemned as cruel and led to lasting trauma for thousands of children.
Executive Order 14165 revives some of the most controversial and harmful immigration policies of the Trump administration, prioritizing deterrence and punishment over humane and effective solutions. It does not address the factors that drive migration, nor does it create a sustainable or just immigration system. Instead, it places thousands of lives at risk, expands mass detention, and militarizes the border while failing to deliver meaningful reform.Â
Take Action
Support organizations advocating for immigrant rights and legal representation.
Groups such as the ACLU, RAICES, and the National Immigration Law Center work to defend the rights of migrants and provide legal assistance to those affected by harsh immigration policies. Donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness can help counter the effects of this order.
Contact your representatives and demand humane immigration policies.
Urge lawmakers to oppose mass detention policies and advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. This includes funding for immigration courts, expanding legal pathways, and addressing the root causes of migration.
Challenge misinformation about immigration.
Right-wing media and politicians use fearmongering tactics to push anti-immigrant policies. Fact-check claims about migration, share accurate information, and educate others on the economic and social contributions of immigrants.
Immigration policy should be based on facts, human rights, and long-term solutions—not fear, misinformation, and political theater. Stay informed, challenge harmful policies, and stand up for justice.
