Trump Delivers: 14 Recent Wins You May Have Missed

8/26/2026

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Action Summary

Mail-in Voting Directive: The Supreme Court cleared the way for enforcing President Trump’s mail-in voting order ahead of the 2026 midterms, overturning a lower court block amid challenges by Democratic-led states.
Visa Revocation Initiative: The administration is set to revoke business and tourism (B1/B2) visas for up to 200,000 foreigners, targeting those who have applied for or are seeking asylum, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
Immigration Enforcement:
- Record ICE Arrests: Nearly 50,000 arrests in July mark the highest monthly total during Trump’s second term.
- DC Area Operations: A major ICE operation in the Washington, D.C. area resulted in over 1,300 arrests, including individuals with serious criminal charges.
- Visa Application Pause: Immigrant visa applications have been paused to allow for enhanced consular officer training to screen out individuals likely to require U.S. assistance.
Visa and Tax Policy Adjustments:
- H-1B Fee Proposal: A new rule proposes a fee of $103,265 for H-1B visa applicants subject to the annual cap.
- Tax Credit Changes: The Trump administration is cutting off illegal immigrants from four major refundable tax credits, potentially saving taxpayers an estimated $3 billion.
Public Health & Safety Measures: Fentanyl-related deaths dropped by 22% over one year, attributed to enhanced border control, targeted actions against drug cartels, and arrests of convicted traffickers.
Economic and Business Developments:
- Business Activity Expansion: U.S. business activity expanded at the fastest pace since 2022, with significant gains in service and manufacturing sectors (e.g., Philadelphia manufacturing index).
- Infrastructure Investments: Major projects include a $1 billion upgrade at Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown steel plant and Amazon’s plan to establish a multibillion-dollar robotics facility in Austin, Texas, creating hundreds of jobs.
Impact on Education: Stricter visa policies have led to a significant decline in international student enrollment, with record drops noted in application numbers and new enrollments.
Immigration Actions Post-TPS: The administration executed the first deportation flight to Haiti following the termination of Temporary Protected Status, transporting individuals identified as high-risk, including violent criminals.

Risks & Considerations

The tightening of mail-in voting rules may affect student participation in elections, particularly among the younger demographic that relies on mail-in ballots. This could impact Vanderbilt’s engagement initiatives and student civic participation programs.
The mass revocation of visas could lead to a significant reduction in the international student population at Vanderbilt. This decline may affect the university’s diversity and global perspective, which are key components of its educational mission.
With the increased immigration enforcement actions and policy changes, there is a risk of creating an environment of fear among students from immigrant backgrounds, potentially leading to mental health and well-being concerns that the university may need to address.
The proposed high fees for H-1B visas could deter potential faculty and staff from international backgrounds, affecting the university’s ability to attract top talent and maintain a diverse academic environment.

Impacted Programs

International Student Office will need to develop strategies to support current international students and mitigate the potential drop in enrollment due to visa policy changes.
The Office of Student Engagement may need to enhance programs aimed at increasing student awareness and participation in elections, particularly as mail-in voting becomes more restrictive.
Vanderbilt’s Counseling Center might see increased demand for mental health services from students who are affected by the stress of immigration enforcement actions.
Academic Departments may need to reassess their hiring strategies to ensure they can attract a diverse faculty, particularly in light of the proposed H-1B visa fees.

Financial Impact

A decline in international student enrollment could lead to a significant loss in tuition revenue, which is critical for funding various programs and initiatives at Vanderbilt.
The potential increase in operational costs related to supporting affected students and hiring diversely qualified faculty may strain the university’s budget.
Increased scrutiny and regulatory changes surrounding immigration may complicate Vanderbilt’s partnerships and collaborations with international institutions, potentially impacting research funding and opportunities.
Changes in the tax credit eligibility for undocumented students could affect the financial aid landscape, particularly for students who may have relied on these credits to finance their education.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders present high risks that may require significant transformations in policy and programmatic responses at the university.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s International Office should actively monitor the implications of the upcoming visa revocations that may impact international student enrollment. Engaging in outreach efforts to potential international students could help mitigate the anticipated decline in applications and maintain a diverse student body.
The Office of Federal Relations should prepare to assess the effects of the tightened immigration policies, particularly focusing on how these changes may influence federal funding opportunities for research and educational programs that support immigrant populations.
Vanderbilt’s Admissions Office should develop strategies to attract students from regions and demographics less affected by the visa policy changes to ensure enrollment targets are met despite the potential drop in international applicants.
The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions should initiate research on the implications of the executive order regarding mail-in voting and its potential impact on student engagement and participation in upcoming elections, fostering a politically informed student body.
The Department of Sociology should analyze the societal impacts of the immigration enforcement policies to better understand the dynamics within the community and how Vanderbilt can contribute positively to affected populations.

Opportunities

The executive order’s emphasis on election integrity opens a potential opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Political Science Department to lead discussions and research initiatives on electoral processes, potentially positioning the university as a thought leader in this critical area.
As business activity expands nationally, Vanderbilt could explore partnerships with local businesses and industries to develop workforce training programs, enhancing job placement opportunities for graduates.
The reduction in fentanyl deaths provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Health Policy Research Center to study the effectiveness of recent drug policies and contribute to ongoing public health discussions.
The proposed increase in fees for H-1B visas could lead to a reevaluation of employment policies at Vanderbilt, prompting the university to advocate for more equitable visa policies that support international faculty and staff.
With the anticipated growth in robotics manufacturing, Vanderbilt could foster relationships with companies like Amazon, exploring collaborative research or internship opportunities for students in engineering and technology fields.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive orders indicate potential major changes required in the university’s processes due to impacts on international students and employment opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Mail-in Voting Directive: Enforcement must be completed ahead of the November midterm elections.
Mass Visa Revocation Directive: The State Department is expected to announce and begin implementation “in the coming weeks.”

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Supreme Court: Ruled on the mail-in voting order, thus playing a pivotal role in the implementation of the executive action.
U.S. State Department: Tasked with revoking B1/B2 visas and pausing immigrant visa applications in line with the administration’s directives.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Coordinating multiple immigration-related actions including mass visa revocation and overseeing ICE operations.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Directly involved with the increased arrest operations and enforcement of immigration policies.
Department of Justice (DOJ): Mentioned as part of the coordination for implementing the proposed H-1B visa fee rule.
Department of Labor: Also included in the H-1B visa fee proposal framework to support the lawful immigration system.
Department of the Treasury & Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Engaged in enforcing new rules on refundable tax credits for illegal immigrants, thereby impacting taxpayer benefit programs.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Cited for providing data on the reduction of fentanyl-linked deaths following initiatives introduced by the administration.

Relevance Score: 3 (Multiple federal agencies across immigration, justice, finance, and public health are impacted by the directives.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of State – Charged with implementing directives to revoke B1/B2 visas and to pause immigrant visa applications through consular operations.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Oversees the proposed mass visa revocation, the new H‑1B fee rule, border security measures affecting fentanyl trafficking, and the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants.
Secretary of the Treasury and IRS Commissioner – Responsible for enforcing new rules that restrict refundable tax credits to certain eligible groups.

Relevance Score: 4 (The directives primarily engage the heads of major federal agencies with substantial policy implementation responsibilities.)