Protecting The American People Against Invasion
January 20, 2025
Action Summary
- Purpose: Counteracts previous administration’s immigration policies by enforcing immigration laws to protect national security and public safety through a firm response to illegal entry and unlawful presence.
- Policy Objective: Establish a strict policy to enforce immigration laws against inadmissible and removable aliens, particularly those posing security risks, while utilizing lawful incentives and detention capabilities.
- Revocation of Prior Orders: Repeals Executive Orders from January and February 2021 that revised civil immigration enforcement, family reunification, and integration initiatives, requiring agencies to revoke policies based on those orders.
- Civil & Criminal Enforcement:
- Civil Enforcement: Prioritizes final removal orders and the use of Homeland Security Investigations to secure the border.
- Criminal Enforcement: Focuses on prosecuting unauthorized entry and continued unlawful presence through coordinated efforts among the Attorney General, State, and Homeland Security.
- Homeland Security Task Forces: Establishes Federal Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) nationwide tasked with dismantling criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and human-smuggling networks, with coordination from multiple law enforcement agencies.
- Registration & Accountability: Mandates the identification and registration of previously unregistered aliens and treats non-compliance as a priority for both civil and criminal enforcement.
- Fines, Penalties, & Detention:
- Implements the assessment and collection of fines and penalties from aliens unlawfully present.
- Directs the establishment or use of detention facilities for aliens pending removal proceedings.
- Federal-State Collaboration: Empowers State and local law enforcement via agreements (section 287(g)) to assist in immigration enforcement while ensuring Federal oversight.
- Voluntary Compliance & Repatriation: Encourages and facilitates the prompt voluntary departure of unlawful aliens and coordinates with foreign states to expedite repatriation.
- Additional Enforcement Measures:
- Introduces systems for administering visa bonds.
- Reestablishes the VOICE Office within ICE to support victims of crimes by removable aliens.
- Reviews and adjusts policies from the previous administration regarding parole, TPS, and employment authorizations.
- Accountability and Funding Oversight:
- Reviews Federal funding to entities aiding illegal aliens, suspends further funding pending audits, and may claw back funds deemed wasteful.
- Requires agencies to stop providing public benefits to unauthorized aliens.
- Resource Expansion: Calls for increased hiring of agents and officers to effectively carry out immigration enforcement tasks.
- Implementation and Legal Provisions:
- Includes severability and general provisions to ensure the order’s broad application, compliance with law, and uninterrupted enforcement even if specific provisions are challenged.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order’s focus on strict immigration enforcement could impact Vanderbilt University’s international student population. Increased scrutiny and potential changes in visa policies may affect the ability of international students to study in the United States, potentially reducing the diversity and global perspective of the student body.
- There is a risk that heightened immigration enforcement could create an environment of fear and uncertainty among international students and faculty, potentially affecting their academic performance and willingness to participate in university activities.
- The revocation of previous executive orders related to immigration may lead to changes in policies that affect the university’s ability to recruit and retain international talent, both in terms of students and faculty.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in immigration policy could affect its partnerships with international institutions and its ability to engage in global research collaborations.
Impacted Programs
- Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Vanderbilt may need to increase support and resources for international students and scholars to navigate the changing immigration landscape.
- Vanderbilt’s Global Education Office might need to adjust its strategies to accommodate potential changes in student exchange programs and international partnerships.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion could play a crucial role in supporting students and faculty affected by the changes in immigration policy, helping to ensure that the university remains a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Vanderbilt’s legal and compliance teams may need to stay informed about changes in immigration law to ensure that the university remains compliant with federal regulations.
Financial Impact
- The potential decrease in international student enrollment could impact tuition revenue, as international students often pay higher tuition rates than domestic students.
- Changes in federal funding priorities related to immigration enforcement could affect research grants and other funding opportunities for projects involving international collaboration.
- Vanderbilt University might need to allocate additional resources to support services for international students and faculty, potentially impacting the university’s budget.
- There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in immigration policy and reform, particularly through collaborations with federal agencies.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor changes in immigration enforcement policies and their potential impact on international students and faculty. This includes understanding any new visa requirements or restrictions that may affect the university’s ability to attract and retain international talent.
- The International Student and Scholar Services should prepare to provide additional support and guidance to international students and scholars who may be affected by changes in immigration policies, ensuring they remain compliant with new regulations.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office should review and update policies related to the employment of international staff and faculty to ensure compliance with any new federal immigration laws and regulations.
- The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the implications of stricter immigration enforcement on higher education and share findings with policymakers to advocate for policies that support academic freedom and international collaboration.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to expand its curriculum and research on immigration law and policy, potentially establishing itself as a leader in this field.
- Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in public policy to engage in discussions and advocacy efforts regarding the impact of immigration policies on higher education and research, positioning itself as a thought leader in this area.
- The university could explore partnerships with organizations focused on immigration reform and support services, enhancing its community engagement and impact.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order necessitates major process changes due to its potential impact on international students and faculty, requiring strategic adjustments.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Immediate – Numerous sections (e.g., Sections 7, 9, 10, 16, and 18) instruct agencies to act immediately or “promptly,” indicating an urgent implementation without a specific number of days.
- Within 90 days – Section 8(b) requires the submission of a report by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security within 90 days of the order’s date.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Oversees the implementation of the order’s immigration enforcement initiatives and coordinates with its sub-agencies.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Tasked with enforcing immigration laws, including the reestablishment of the VOICE Office for victim support.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Responsible for border security and enforcing policies regarding illegal entry.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Involved in processing immigration benefits and ensuring adherence to the revised immigration priorities.
- Department of Justice (DOJ) – Attorney General: Charged with prioritizing criminal prosecutions related to unauthorized entry and coordinating with DHS and the State Department.
- Department of State: Plays a key role in repatriation efforts, diplomatic negotiations, and managing international aspects of immigration enforcement.
- Department of the Treasury: Works alongside DHS to assess and collect fines, manage visa bonds, and review funding processes related to immigration enforcement.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Ensures proper oversight of federal funding, particularly in relation to agreements impacting the enforcement of immigration law and the prevention of unauthorized public benefits.
- State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Involved via federal-state agreements and Homeland Security Task Forces to support enforcement operations at the community level.
Relevance Score: 3 (A broad range of Federal, State, and Local Agencies are affected by the order.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of Homeland Security – Responsible for directing broad immigration enforcement actions including revoking previous executive orders, establishing detention facilities, and coordinating interagency task forces.
- Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Tasked with setting enforcement priorities, reestablishing the VOICE office, and expanding immigration enforcement capacity.
- Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Charged with implementing border enforcement priorities and increasing agent capacities at the border.
- Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Responsible for setting agency priorities to enforce immigration laws.
- Attorney General – Oversight of criminal enforcement priorities and prosecution of offenses related to unauthorized immigration, as well as coordinating multiple law enforcement efforts.
- Secretary of State – Required to coordinate diplomatic and enforcement actions, including addressing recalcitrant countries and rescinding prior policies.
- Secretary of Treasury – In charge of assessing and collecting fines and penalties, and establishing systems for visa bonds and financial oversight.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services – Responsible for coordinating efforts to prevent the trafficking and smuggling of alien children.
- Director of the Office of Management and Budget – Tasked with ensuring agencies stop providing public benefits to unauthorized aliens and overseeing the funding review process.
Relevance Score: 5 (The directives impact Cabinet-level officials and agency heads, indicating a high level of policy and operational significance.)