President Trump is Securing Our Homeland
March 4, 2025
Action Summary
- Border Security Improvements:
Record reductions in illegal border crossings (down 94%) and a 627% surge in ICE arrests; migrant shelters closing due to diminished need and a “reverse flow” of would-be crossers returning home. - International and Regional Responses:
Mexico deploying 10,000 troops to confront illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking; Canada implementing measures against fentanyl manufacturing; successful extradition of 29 Mexican drug cartel leaders. - Policy Reversals and Legislative Actions:
Ended “catch-and-release” and shut down the “CBP One” app; signed the Laken Riley Act mandating detention for violent or theft-related offenses; terminated taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens. - Reinstatement of Restrictive Immigration Policies:
Reestablished the “Remain in Mexico” policy; restarted border wall construction; revoked Temporary Protected Status for Haitians; ended birthright citizenship; suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. - Designation of Criminal Organizations:
Classified groups including Tren de Aragua, MS-13, Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and others as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. - Enhanced Law Enforcement Measures:
Deployment of U.S. drones to locate lethal fentanyl labs in Mexico.
Risks & Considerations
- The crackdown on illegal immigration and the associated policies could impact the diversity of the student body at Vanderbilt University, particularly if students or their families are affected by these measures.
- The termination of taxpayer-funded public benefits for illegal aliens may lead to increased financial strain on students from affected families, potentially impacting their ability to afford higher education.
- The suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program could reduce the number of international students and scholars, affecting the university’s global engagement and diversity initiatives.
- Increased enforcement and deportations may create a climate of fear and uncertainty among students and staff who are immigrants or have immigrant family members, potentially affecting their academic performance and well-being.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services may need to provide additional support and resources to students affected by changes in immigration policy.
- The Center for Latin American Studies might see increased demand for research and expertise on immigration policy and its impacts on communities.
- Vanderbilt’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives could face challenges in maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus environment amid these policy changes.
- The Peabody College of Education and Human Development may need to address the educational needs of students from immigrant backgrounds who are affected by these policies.
Financial Impact
- The reduction in international students due to stricter immigration policies could impact tuition revenue and the financial health of the university.
- Vanderbilt may need to allocate additional resources to support students and staff affected by these policies, potentially impacting the university’s budget and financial planning.
- There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research on immigration policy and its impacts, particularly through collaborations with government agencies and non-profit organizations.
- The university might need to adjust its financial aid strategies to support students from immigrant families who are facing increased financial challenges.
Relevance Score: 4 (The policies present a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and support services.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor changes in immigration policies, particularly those affecting international students and scholars. This will be crucial in understanding how these changes might impact the university’s ability to attract and retain international talent.
- The Vanderbilt Law School should consider offering seminars or workshops on the legal implications of the new immigration policies, providing students and faculty with insights into the evolving legal landscape.
- Vanderbilt’s Center for Latin American Studies should engage in research and dialogue regarding the impact of U.S. immigration policies on Latin American countries, potentially influencing policy discussions and fostering international collaboration.
- The Vanderbilt University Medical Center should assess the potential impact of reduced immigration on healthcare staffing and patient demographics, adapting strategies to ensure continued excellence in care and education.
Opportunities
- The crackdown on illegal immigration presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Department of Political Science to conduct research on the broader societal impacts of these policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect community dynamics and long-term economic outcomes.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on border security by developing new programs and partnerships with government agencies and NGOs focused on immigration and border issues. This could include joint research initiatives and collaborative policy development.
- The emphasis on combating drug trafficking offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Addiction Research to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the center can influence how resources are allocated to address drug-related challenges.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on international students and research collaborations.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Immediate implementation on Day One – The directives are stated as starting on Day One, implying they were executed immediately.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): The significant increase in ICE arrests underscores its central role in enforcing immigration laws under this directive.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): The shutdown of the “CBP One” app and the reinstatement of policies like “Remain in Mexico” directly affect CBP’s border enforcement operations.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): As the parent agency overseeing ICE and CBP, DHS is deeply impacted by the enhanced border security and immigration measures.
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): The extradition of Mexican cartel leaders and law enforcement actions related to immigration enforcement engage the DOJ in judicial and prosecutorial roles.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The revocation of Temporary Protected Status and suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program implicate USCIS, which administers these immigration benefits.
- U.S. Department of State: In connection with refugee admissions and international diplomatic measures (e.g., coordinating responses with Mexico and Canada), the State Department is also impacted.
Relevance Score: 3 (Between 6 to 10 government organizations are directly impacted by the policy actions in the order.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of Homeland Security – Oversees national border security initiatives including the reversal of catch‐and‐release, re-implementation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and the restart of border wall construction.
- Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Responsible for enforcing border control measures such as the shutdown of the “CBP One” app and implementation of enhanced screening at ports of entry.
- Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Charged with executing enhanced arrest operations, enforcing the Laken Riley Act, and terminating taxpayer-funded public benefits for illegal aliens.
- Attorney General – Plays a key role in the extradition of cartel leaders and the designation of criminal organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-level Cabinet officials and agency heads responsible for national security and immigration enforcement.)
