President Donald Trump has prioritized immigration early in his second term by declaring a national emergency and classifying migration as an “invasion.” His policies are expected to impact Latin America, where a significant portion of U.S. migrants originate. Trump aims to intensify measures that require Latin American countries to accept deportees and revise birthright citizenship. AS/COA is tracking these developments and their regional implications.
On the first day of his second term, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized immigration by declaring a national emergency at the southern border and labeling migration as an “invasion.” This strategy echoes sentiments from his 2024 presidential campaign, where approximately 15 percent of voters identified migration as a critical issue, following inflation.
Trump’s immigration policies are significant for Latin America, as over half of the U.S. foreign-born population originates from this region, totaling nearly 24.5 million individuals. Moreover, around 77 percent of the 11 million undocumented migrants in the United States are Latin American nationals, as reported by the Pew Research Center.
During his initial term (2017-2021), Trump implemented measures that compelled Latin American governments to accept deportees and deter migration. His current administration appears poised to intensify these policies and is considering actions to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to abolish birthright citizenship while imposing punitive measures on countries failing to cooperate on deportations.
AS/COA Online is actively monitoring Trump’s policies regarding migration and their regional implications. They provide insights into recent initiatives, promises made during his campaign, and comparative analysis with his first-term strategies. The organization documents Trump’s approach to trade and migration in relation to Latin America, highlighting disparities in the treatment of these issues.
Following the recent elections in Venezuela, many Venezuelans are anticipated to seek asylum or migrate due to election fraud. The U.S. administration’s directives include militarizing the border, potentially designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and reducing foreign aid to predominantly Latin American nations. Furthermore, AS/COA is examining the records of U.S. presidential candidates concerning their potential policies on immigration and trade concerning the region, alongside major U.S. policies affecting Latin American migrants and asylum seekers, such as Title 42 and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
In summary, President Trump is reviving and intensifying his immigration policies concerning Latin America during his second term, focusing on issues such as deportation and birthright citizenship. The implications of these policies are significant, considering the vast number of Latin American migrants in the U.S. AS/COA Online remains dedicated to monitoring the evolving landscape of migration and its impacts on the region, especially in light of recent developments in Venezuelan elections and other regional challenges.
Original Source: www.as-coa.org
