Immigrants' Rights and Resources Hub

Esta Página en Español
查看中文版网页
የድህረ ገጽን በአማርኛ ይመልከቱ
عرض صفحة الويب باللغة العربية
ဤဝဘ်စာမျက်နှာသည် မြန်မာဘာသာဖြင့် ရေးသားထားသည်။
Fiiri Bogga Webka ee Af-Soomaali
Voir la page Web en français

Last Updated: September 24, 2025

Disclaimer: This document is intended for educational, civic, and advocacy purposes. Nothing on this website is intended as, or should be taken as, legal advice. Even if it sounds like legal advice, it is not legal advice for your particular situation because every situation is different. If you need legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney.

The second Trump administration has implemented sweeping immigration policies, including what could be the largest mass detention and deportation program in U.S. history. These policies have targeted immigrant families and communities, increased enforcement measures, and weakened protections for non-citizens. Immigrants should continue to prepare for significant challenges, such as:

• Increased deportations targeting individuals with final removal orders or criminal records.
• Restrictive asylum policies making it harder, or even impossible, for asylum seekers to enter the country.
• Chilling effects discouraging immigrant participation in public life due to fear of enforcement.

Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the US Constitution. Understanding your rights and preparing for potential changes are critical steps towards protecting yourself and your community. Your rights include protections against unlawful searches and seizures, the right to remain silent, the right to speak to an attorney, and due process guarantees if detained or facing removal proceedings. Whether at home, in the workplace, or in public, knowing these rights and how to assert them is vital.

Attacks on Immigration Policy under the Trump Administration

During the second Trump administration, there have been significant shifts in immigration policy. These changes may include reinstatement of travel bans targeting countries previously listed under the first Trump administration, such as Iran, Nigeria, and Yemen. We have also seen travel bans expanded to include other countries. Asylum protections have also faced further restrictions, and the administration has made efforts to weaken and eliminate programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The administration has implemented mass deportations, including those focused on individuals with final deportation orders or criminal records, though legal challenges have been utilized to attempt to delay these efforts. Protections for unaccompanied minors and families continue to be undermined, emphasizing the need for family safety planning and for individuals to be thoughtful about the documentation they carry. International students and workers should prepare for increased visa delays and background checks, and those traveling from affected regions are advised to return to the U.S. before the semester begins. Furthermore, policies that have historically limited some enforcement actions in protected areas and/or during protected activities may be revoked, despite the strong public policy reasons behind these policies. These include reducing trauma for children, enabling access to healthcare, and respecting the right to worship.

The second Trump administration continues to misuse executive orders to attack immigrant families and communities and further its extreme and cruel immigration agenda. The administration has attempted to undo the fundamental constitutional protection of birthright citizenship through an executive order. The Supreme Court recently struck down the executive order, reaffirming that birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the Constitution. Despite the Court’s decision, the administration continues to levy attacks on this constitutional right.

As a reminder, Executive Orders cannot override the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, and established legal precedent. Understanding Executive Orders, how they are implemented, what agencies they impact, and how they legally operate is crucial to navigating and challenging attacks. Executive Orders only apply to the federal government’s executive branch.

The Path Forward: Preparation and Community Power

Despite these challenges, there is hope and power in preparation. Legal organizations, mutual aid groups, and advocacy networks are more active than ever, offering resources to help immigrants navigate these uncertain times. Building a family emergency plan, connecting with rapid response networks, and staying informed about legal developments are key strategies. Agencies and workplaces, too, can support preparation by training staff, creating action plans, and clarifying policies and processes for employees and service recipients. The looming threats are real, but so is our power and resilience. Public outcry and grassroots organizing have proven to be effective in challenging harmful policies, as demonstrated by the reversal of the family separation policy.

Together, we can confront this moment. We can defend our values. We can assert our power. We can protect our community.

Despite legal and logistical hurdles, the second Trump administration has continued to ramp up immigration enforcement. As we’ve seen before, clear, consistent “know-your-rights” training and strong community coalitions can protect immigrants in meaningful ways.

What can you do now?

1. Stay informed: Laws and policies shift rapidly. Follow trusted organizations like the ACLU, National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), or your local mutual aid group.
2. Build a plan: Have an emergency contact list, legal documents, and family care plan ready if enforcement actions occur.
   • Collect documents in a safe place:
     • Keep your identity information and financial information in a safe location.
     • Gather documents showing the length of time you have been in the United States; the most recent two years are most important. This can include U.S. income tax returns, utility bills, leases, school records, medical records, bank records, or other documents.
     • Make sure your emergency contact can access all of these documents.
3. Connect with allies: Join local advocacy networks, rapid response teams, or volunteer groups that offer resources and support.