Securing Our Borders – Presidential Actions

January 20, 2025

Presidential Actions

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Action Summary

Purpose: Address an unprecedented influx of illegal aliens, including potential terrorists, spies, cartel members, and traffickers, undermining U.S. sovereignty and public safety.
Policy Objectives: Secure the borders by deterring illegal entry, enforcing strict detention and removal processes, and pursuing criminal charges against violators and facilitators.
Physical Barriers & Personnel Deployment: Direct the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to deploy personnel and construct both temporary and permanent barriers along the southern border.
Detention & Enforcement Enhancements: End “catch-and-release” policies by detaining illegal aliens to the fullest extent permitted, resume Migrant Protection Protocols, and adjust parole policies (including discontinuing the “CBP One” app and categorical parole programs).
International & Interagency Cooperation: Coordinate with the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Homeland Security to enhance border security, facilitate international agreements, and adopt DNA and identification measures for detainees.
Prosecution & Additional Measures: Prioritize prosecution of border-related offenses (human smuggling, trafficking, etc.) and, within 14 days, provide recommendations for using additional authority to protect the nation, while ensuring compliance with legal and budgetary constraints.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s focus on securing borders and detaining illegal aliens could lead to increased scrutiny and potential challenges for international students and faculty at Vanderbilt University. This may affect the university’s ability to attract and retain global talent.
Changes in immigration policies, such as the termination of certain parole programs, could impact the diversity of the student body and faculty, potentially affecting the university’s commitment to inclusivity and multiculturalism.
The emphasis on cooperation with state and local law enforcement might lead to increased enforcement activities in the local community, which could create a climate of fear or uncertainty among international students and staff.
Vanderbilt University may need to enhance its support services for international students and faculty to navigate the complexities of the new immigration policies and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Impacted Programs

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at Vanderbilt may need to increase its resources and support to assist international students and faculty in understanding and complying with new immigration policies.
The Office of Global Safety and Security might need to develop new strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of international students and faculty in light of heightened border security measures.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office may need to provide additional guidance and support to ensure that the university’s policies and practices align with the new federal immigration regulations.
The Center for Latin American Studies could see an increased demand for research and expertise on immigration policy and its impacts on communities and individuals.

Financial Impact

Increased border security and immigration enforcement could lead to higher costs for international students, potentially affecting their ability to afford education at Vanderbilt University.
Changes in immigration policies might impact the university’s ability to secure funding for research and programs that rely on international collaboration and partnerships.
Vanderbilt University may need to allocate additional resources to support services for international students and faculty, which could impact the university’s budget and financial planning.
There may be potential opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in research and policy analysis related to immigration and border security, which could attract funding from government and private sources.

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 monitor changes in immigration policies, particularly those affecting international students and scholars. Understanding these changes will be crucial for ensuring compliance and supporting the university’s international community.
The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the implications of enhanced border security measures and their impact on international relations and human rights. This research can provide valuable insights and contribute to policy discussions.
Vanderbilt’s Law School should consider offering seminars or workshops on the legal aspects of immigration policy changes, focusing on the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of institutions under new federal guidelines.
The Center for Latin American Studies may explore partnerships with organizations focused on immigration and border issues to facilitate dialogue and research on the socio-economic impacts of these policies.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to engage in research on the educational needs of immigrant communities affected by these policies. By understanding these needs, Peabody can develop programs that support educational access and equity.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in technology and data analysis to assist in developing systems that ensure compliance with new identification and DNA requirements, potentially collaborating with federal agencies or private sector partners.
The focus on international cooperation offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s International Relations Program to study and influence the development of international agreements related to immigration and border security.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to processes or procedures, particularly in areas related to international students and research opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Within 14 days from January 20, 2025 – The order mandates that the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security provide recommendations within this timeframe.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Tasked with constructing physical barriers, detaining illegal aliens, adjusting parole policies, and enforcing immigration law as directed in multiple sections of the order.
Department of Defense (DoD): Responsible for deploying resources and constructing physical barriers along the southern border in coordination with DHS.
Department of Justice (DOJ) – Attorney General: Charged with supplementing border security personnel, prioritizing the prosecution of border-related crimes, and enforcing immigration laws.
Department of State: Engaged in resuming Migrant Protection Protocols and entering into international agreements to support border security measures.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Involved in providing recommendations on additional authority measures to protect the United States from foreign threats.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Indirectly mentioned in relation to budgetary, administrative, and legislative proposals to support the order’s implementation.

Relevance Score: 3 (Six to ten Federal Agencies are directly impacted by this Executive Order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Defense – Tasked with deploying and constructing physical barriers and deploying sufficient personnel along the southern border.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Responsible for multiple measures including personnel deployment, detention of unlawful aliens, adjustment of parole policies, implementation of technological and identification measures, and ensuring operational control of the border.
Attorney General – Charged with supplementing border security personnel, prosecuting immigration-related offenses, coordinating with international partners, and supporting DNA and identification efforts for detained aliens.
Secretary of State – Required to coordinate on resuming Migrant Protection Protocols and facilitating international cooperation agreements.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Must provide recommendations on additional measures to protect the nation in coordination with other Cabinet officials.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directs Cabinet-level officials, ensuring that agency heads implement crucial national security and immigration policies.)