In the first 100 days of his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump implemented broad changes to immigration policy, intensifying efforts to restrict migration, expand enforcement, reform skilled worker and student visa programs, and tighten legal pathways into the country. These measures built on the foundation of his first term and marked a significant expansion of previous policies.
One of the most notable shifts was the administration’s stated objective to deport one million undocumented immigrants annually. To support this goal, “expedited removal” procedures were expanded to include all unauthorized immigrants who could not prove at least two years of continuous presence in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were granted wider authority to operate in locations that had previously been off-limits, including schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Financial penalties were reinstated for undocumented individuals who failed to depart the U.S. voluntarily, and local law enforcement agencies were urged to enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE, effectively deputizing them as immigration enforcement officers.
In the area of skilled immigration, new restrictions were imposed on the H-1B visa program. These included a narrower definition of what qualifies as a “specialty occupation,” higher wage requirements, and increased worksite audits. The administration issued directives to prioritize U.S. citizens for employment-based visa programs, aligning with the broader “Hire American” policy. Companies sponsoring foreign workers faced increased scrutiny throughout the application process.
A new initiative, termed the “Gold Card” visa, was introduced as a replacement for the EB-5 investor visa. This program offered permanent residency to foreign nationals who invested $5 million or more into the U.S. economy. The proposal aimed to attract global high-net-worth individuals and, according to the administration, could benefit certain international graduates of U.S. universities.
Additional reforms targeted international students and higher education institutions. Federal agencies were ordered to investigate universities with large international student populations and enforce stricter compliance with visa regulations. The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program faced tighter work verification requirements. Universities that failed to comply with federal guidelines risked losing access to funding, and heightened scrutiny was applied to the F-1 and J-1 visa categories.
To further bolster border security, the administration declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and deployed over 10,000 active-duty military personnel. These troops supported the Department of Homeland Security in surveillance, logistics, and construction of additional barriers. The creation of “National Defense Areas” along the border granted federal authorities expanded control over public lands and gave the Department of Defense the power to arrest individuals entering these zones.
Investments were also made in enforcement technology. The administration expanded the use of facial recognition systems, biometric tracking, and aerial surveillance drones at ports of entry and within the country. A new database was introduced to enhance information-sharing between immigration, labor, and law enforcement agencies.
Overall, the immigration actions taken in this period represented a sharp increase in enforcement and a reduction in legal and humanitarian immigration pathways. While a few measures, such as the investor visa program, were aimed at economic gain, most initiatives were focused on limiting entry, accelerating deportations, and narrowing visa eligibility criteria.
