Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects the States and the American People by Closing the Border to Illegals via Proclamation
January 22, 2025
Action Summary
- Border Security Objective: President Trump signed an Executive Order to suspend the physical entry of illegal aliens engaged in an invasion via the southern border, ensuring state protection against invasions as mandated by Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.
- State Sovereignty and Federal Duty: The Order underscores the federal government’s responsibility to protect states—highlighting Texas as an example—after previous failures during the Biden Administration to shield communities from the impacts of illegal immigration.
- Legal Authority: The action is based on the President’s authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act and inherent powers under Article II of the Constitution.
- Directed Enforcement Actions: The Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Department of State are instructed to immediately repel, repatriate, and remove illegal aliens crossing the southern border.
- Restrictions on Immigration Provisions: The Order restricts access to immigration law provisions like asylum for illegal aliens involved in the invasion, ensuring they cannot legally remain in the U.S.
- Campaign Promise Fulfillment: The action is presented as a fulfillment of President Trump’s 2024 promise to “seal the border on Day 1,” emphasizing the significant economic and social impacts of illegal immigration.
Risks & Considerations
- The Executive Order to close the border and repel illegal aliens could lead to increased scrutiny and changes in immigration policies, which may affect international students and faculty at Vanderbilt University. This could impact the university’s diversity and global engagement initiatives.
- There is a potential risk of heightened tensions and legal challenges related to immigration policies, which could create an uncertain environment for students and staff who are immigrants or have family members affected by these policies.
- The focus on border security and immigration control may divert federal resources away from educational and research funding, potentially impacting grants and financial support available to the university.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in immigration policy could affect its recruitment strategies for international students and faculty, as well as its partnerships with institutions in other countries.
Impacted Programs
- International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at Vanderbilt may need to increase support and resources for international students and faculty affected by changes in immigration policy.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Global Safety and Security might need to enhance its efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff traveling abroad or affected by international policy changes.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion could play a crucial role in supporting affected students and staff, ensuring that the university remains a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Vanderbilt’s partnerships with international institutions may need to be reevaluated to ensure alignment with new immigration and border policies.
Financial Impact
- The reallocation of federal resources towards border security could impact the funding landscape for higher education, potentially leading to reduced financial support for research and development initiatives.
- Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize border security and immigration control. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
- There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in immigration policy and reform, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.
- As immigration policies become more restrictive, there could be a shift in the demographics of students applying to Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution.
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 and their potential impact on international students and faculty. Understanding these changes will be crucial for maintaining compliance and supporting affected individuals within the university community.
- The Center for Latin American Studies should consider conducting research on the socio-economic impacts of immigration policies on border communities. This research could provide valuable insights and contribute to policy discussions at the national level.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal Department should review the implications of the executive order on the university’s operations, particularly in terms of international collaborations and partnerships. Ensuring that all activities are in compliance with new federal directives will be essential.
Opportunities
- The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy regarding immigration reform. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the program can influence public discourse and policy development.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on border security by developing programs and partnerships that address the needs of border communities. This could include joint research initiatives, community outreach programs, and collaborative policy development.
- The emphasis on protecting American workers and taxpayers offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Economics Department to study the economic impacts of immigration policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect labor markets, public finances, and economic growth.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to processes or procedures, particularly in terms of compliance and research opportunities.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Immediate directive for the expulsion and removal actions. The order instructs the repelling, repatriating, and removal of illegal aliens “immediately”, with no specified delay period.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Directed to take action for immediately repelling, repatriating, and removing illegal aliens at the southern border.
- Department of Justice (DOJ): Responsible for enforcing immigration laws and providing legal support in the removal process.
- Department of State: Tasked with assisting in the repatriation and managing diplomatic aspects of the removal process.
Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal Agencies, specifically 3, are directly impacted by this executive order.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of Homeland Security – Charged with enforcing border security and policy implementation to repel, repatriate, and remove illegal aliens.
- Attorney General – Directed to oversee legal proceedings related to repatriation and removal efforts.
- Secretary of State – Responsible for managing diplomatic actions and international coordination regarding the repatriation process.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives impact high-level Cabinet officials tasked with executing border security and immigration enforcement measures.)