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Immigration

A decade has passed since President Donald Trump announced his first campaign for the presidency and immediately turned immigration into the dominant issue of American politics. Trump described some Mexican migrants as rapists or drug dealers, vowed to build a wall on the nation’s southern border and pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants. Now, early in his second term, Trump is trying to make good on his promises.

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28 migrants accused of crossing into a new U.S. military zone have been charged with "violations of security regulations."
last updated Apr 30

Closing the border

The number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has fallen to a relative trickle after the Trump administration adopted a new policy that prevents entry by most asylum seekers.
HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP via Getty Images
The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the U.S. to end TPS protections for 350,000 Venezuelans, pending a final court decision.
last updated Monday

Mass deportations

Federal immigration officers are trying to comply with President Donald Trump's order to deport millions of undocumented migrants as quickly as possible. The effort has led to court battles and public debate.
Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Trump’s removal of individuals with gang ties are raising legal concern over due process. Critics say the deportations are illegal.
last updated Apr 25

Pushing back

Courts are trying to rein in some of the Trump administration's most aggressive deportation efforts. Large-scale demonstrations have been organized to protest the new administration's immigration policies.
Alex Pena/Anadolu via Getty Images

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What the left is saying

Rallies and resistance

Protests against the Trump administration intensified as activists organized rallies to oppose what they described as constitutional and civil rights violations. Articles in left-leaning news outlets depict these protests as a stand against authoritarianism.

Community action

In addition to protests, many events focus on community engagement, such as food drives and teach-ins, reflecting a grassroots effort to unify and mobilize against federal policies.

Historical parallels

Organizers often draw on themes from the American Revolutionary War, encouraging participants to think of their struggle as a fight against tyranny.

What the center is saying

Legal challenges

Centrist media reports focus on the numerous court cases challenging the legality of the Trump administration's immigration policies. The cases highlight an escalating clash between the executive branch and the judiciary.

Public opinion

Coverage indicates a growing division within public opinion regarding immigration policies. Both opponents and supporters of Trump's policies are solidifying their positions.

Policy implications

News coverage has examined whether the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration increases the likelihood of policy changes regarding lawful migration.

What the right is saying

Law and order

Right-leaning media outlets follow the Trump administration's narrative that immigration policies are driven by the need for law and order. The administration says deporting migrants protects American citizens and minimizes terrorist threats.

Support for deportations

Right-leaning news outlets stress public and political support for strict enforcement of immigration laws.

Criticism of liberal policies

Coverage from the right often condemns prior administrations, especially Democratic ones. The articles allege previous presidents created lenient immigration policies and say Trump's actions are correcting the mistakes of the past.

What the left media is missing…

What the right media is missing…

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Timeline

January 2025

Key Event
January 2025

President Donald Trump issues series of executive actions on Day 1

Shortly after he was inaugurated for a second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring birthright citizenship – even though the Constitution grants citizenship to anyone born inside the United States. A court blocked the order while the issue was litigated.

November 2024

Key Event
November 2024

Donald Trump projected to win 2024 presidential election: DDHQ

Donald Trump won a second term in the White House after making an immigration crackdown a major theme of his campaign. He promised to close the nation’s southern border and to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

July 2024

Key Event
July 2024

Migrant caravan heads to US border fearing Trump immigration policies

Before the 2024 presidential election, thousands of immigrants were hoping to get to the United States before potentially facing a second Trump presidency. Nearing the end of former President Joe Biden’s presidency and halfway through 2024, 1.8 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border were reported by U.S. Border Patrol.

February 2023

Key Event
February 2023

Biden announces new asylum restrictions at Mexico border

Faced with a surge in illegal border crossings, President Joe Biden announced a new policy that allowed the deportation of asylum-seekers who entered the United States illegally. The new policy put Biden at odds with some Democrats, who said it resembled restrictions imposed during the first Trump administration.

April 2022

Key Event
April 2022

DHS plans for immigration spike after Title 42 ends

The Department of Homeland Security planned for a surge in illegal immigration to accompany the expiration of Title 42, a Trump-era order that required migrants to wait in Mexico because of the COVID-19 pandemic.