This is a summary of the most important immigration news between January 20 and February 19, 2025. During this period, the US government has proposed various policies and measures that affect immigrant communities, including changes in the administration of immigration courts, mass deportations and new state laws that reinforce the enforcement of immigration law.
Recent news
The Laken Riley Act: was the first piece of legislation signed by President Donald Trump. This new law mandates the immediate detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes, without the need for them to be convicted by the court.
- What we know: The law allows for the deportation of migrants accused of crimes such as robbery, theft, assaulting a police officer and any crime that causes death or bodily injury to a person or persons.
- Why it’s important: It marks a change in US immigration policy, tightening measures against undocumented migrants without the need for a trial. It could lead to the deportation of people accused of misdemeanors, even if they are innocent.
- What you can do: Know your rights in case you are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or another agency enforcing immigration laws. You can access the red cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) with key information on what to do if faced with possible deportation. You can download it and take it with you in case of interaction with immigration agents. To obtain them, visit: https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas. You can also access the “Know Your Rights” hub of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA is La Alianza’s partner organization). To access the information, visit ndwa.us/immigrant.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Increased fear and uncertainty among migrants with temporary status/protections. Possible separation of families due to expedited deportations.
Cancellation of protection programs (TPS and humanitarian parole) The US government revoked the Temporary Protected Status of 2023 (TPS) for Venezuelans and has eliminated the humanitarian parole program for citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, affecting hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
- What we know: 350,000 Venezuelans will lose protection on April 7, leaving them without work permits and at risk of deportation. In addition, the humanitarian parole program, which allowed up to 30,000 people a month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter the country legally, has been eliminated.
- Why it’s important: The beneficiaries of these programs will be left without work permits and at risk of deportation once their grace periods expire. More than 530,000 people have entered the US under these programs since their implementation in 2023.
- What you can do: Seek legal advice to explore alternative options.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Greater labor, economic and legal vulnerability.
Expansion of detentions at Guantánamo Some 150 tents have been set up at the US naval base at Guantánamo to house detained migrants and reinforce detention operations. President Donald Trump has ordered the site to be prepared to house up to 30,000 people.
- Why it’s important: The detention center could hold up to 30,000 migrants, including people with no criminal record. The United States has never before transferred migrants from its territory to Guantánamo.
- What you can do: Find out about your legal rights and resources. To do this, you can access the Know Your Rights Guide from Mijente, which clearly explains the rights of immigrants in the US and what to do when facing different situations. To access the guide, visit https://mijente.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2017-04-19-kyr-english-final.pdf.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Concerns about possible human rights violations. Around 100 people, including 53 Venezuelan men, have been captured and sent to Guantanamo.
Revocation of protections in schools and places of worship: Protections to prevent raids on sensitive locations such as schools and places of worship have been removed, which could lead to arrests in these spaces.
- What we know: The Trump administration revoked a 2021 policy that protected schools, places of worship and hospitals from immigration raids. In response, Senator Jacky Rosen introduced a bill to reinstate these protections, while the Denver School District filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Several states are passing local laws to establish protections in these places in response to the federal revocation.
- Why it’s important: ICE can carry out raids in previously protected places, affecting immigrant families and students.
- What you can do: Seek legal advice and learn about rights in community spaces. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) offers practical guidance on the rights of immigrants, including what to do if you are confronted by agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Impact on immigrant communities: Increased fear and difficulty accessing essential services. Insecurity in our communities as immigrants will be less encouraged to report being victims of crime or witnessing crimes and there will be less collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Lawsuits against ending birthright citizenship: President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to eliminate automatic citizenship for children born in the US to parents who are undocumented or lack legal permanent residence.
- What we know: Attorneys general from 22 states have filed lawsuits against Trump’s executive order seeking to eliminate birthright citizenship. The order seeks to deny citizenship to children born in the US to undocumented parents or parents without legal permanent residence.
- Why it matters: This measure challenges a century-old practice supported by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and could affect thousands of children born in the US.
- What you can do: Follow the legal processes of the lawsuits and seek advice on constitutional rights.
- Impact on immigrant communities: Although this measure is not currently in operation, it is causing fear and greater uncertainty about the legal status of children born in the US and possible legal repercussions for families.
State agreements with ICE for the detention of immigrants:
- The state of Florida: The Highway Patrol will receive special training to detain immigrants and hand them over to ICE.
- West Virginia: State correctional officers will assist in the transportation of immigrants detained by ICE.
- Idaho: The state House of Representatives passed a Texas-inspired bill that would allow local judges and agents to participate more actively in immigration enforcement.
- Texas: The Texas National Guard now has the authority to make arrests of immigrants under the supervision of the US Border Patrol.
LOCAL: NEWS IN DEVELOPMENT
This is news and legislation still in the process of being approved or developed. The details are subject to change:
- The state of Mississippi: HB 1484, which sought to hire bounty hunters to detain undocumented immigrants, has been scrapped following criticism from legal experts and activists.
- The Alabama Senate has passed several laws that tighten conditions for undocumented immigrants in the state. However, these measures must still pass through more legislative bodies before being signed by the governor.
- Senators introduced a new bill to protect sensitive locations from ICE raids, seeking to restore protections in schools, churches, and hospitals.
- 20 immigration judges fired: the Department of Justice has fired 20 immigration judges, which could worsen the backlog of cases in immigration courts.
IMMIGRATION IN NUMBERS
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) has reported 8,768 arrests from January 20 to February 3.
That means as many as 1,200 and 1,400 arrests per day, according to internal agency data.
RESOURCES
- For more help, visit the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s “Know Your Rights” hub. It includes immigrants’ rights, immigration options, and a legal aid directory, among other resources. To access the information, visit ndwa.us/immigrant.
Note: The National Domestic Workers Alliance is the partner organization of La Alianza
- To identify reliable information, visit: How to identify fake news about immigration and avoid misinformation
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney to assess your specific situation.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Spanish and translated into English.
