and Deportation Reality
The United States has been a stage for a series of controversial steps reshaping its immigration policies in recent years. With President Donald Trump’s second term beginning on January 20, 2025, the administration has adopted a tougher stance to curb illegal immigration. From border security to conditions in migrant camps and large-scale deportation operations, U.S. immigration policy remains a heated topic both domestically and internationally. So, what do these policies entail, and what’s happening on the ground?
Border Security and New Policies
One of Trump’s core campaign promises was to stop what he called an “invasion” at the U.S.-Mexico border. Upon taking office, his administration moved swiftly to deliver on this pledge. The first major action was scrapping the Biden-era CBP One app, which had allowed around 1 million people to enter the country legally. By eliminating the appointment system at eight southern border crossings, the move has made it harder for migrants to seek asylum through legal channels. In a speech shortly after his inauguration, Trump declared, “We’re suspending refugee admissions for four months, bringing back the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, and deploying the National Guard to the border,” signaling his resolve.
The White House has bolstered these policies by accelerating deportation efforts. On January 24, 2025, an official statement announced, “Deportation flights have begun,” accompanied by images of shackled migrants. Trump boasted, “We’ve launched the largest deportation operation in American history,” framing it as a strong message to those entering illegally. According to official data, over 11,000 migrants have been sent back to Mexico since January 20. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has claimed these deportations are voluntary, with migrants escorted until their return, though human rights groups argue the conditions are coercive.
Migrant Camps: A Hotbed of Controversy
The camps where detained border crossers are held have long been one of the most criticized aspects of U.S. immigration policy. Facilities in Texas, in particular, frequently make headlines due to overcrowding, poor hygiene, and treatment of children. Back in 2021, BBC reports highlighted how some children were held in “ice boxes”—freezing rooms—without adequate food or clean water. Today, as Trump’s administration tightens border security, conditions in these camps are once again under scrutiny.
Lawyers and human rights advocates argue that the basic rights of children and adults in these facilities are being violated. Columbia University Professor Elora Mukherjee once stated, “I’ve never seen conditions as inhumane as those in Texas.” As of 2025, overcrowding beyond capacity and limited access to healthcare have intensified the criticism. On the other hand, some Republican figures defend the measures, asserting that Biden’s “open border” policies triggered this crisis, leaving Trump’s tough stance as the only viable response.
Deportation Operations and Human Stories
The Trump administration’s “immediate pushback” policy aims to swiftly deport those entering the country illegally. In fiscal year 2024, 2.9 million people were apprehended at the border, with the majority either deported or detained. With the new administration, these numbers are expected to rise further. Turkish nationals are among those affected; between October 2022 and December 2024, 54,857 Turks were caught at the border, with 13,311 apprehended in 2024 alone. Those detained describe the migrant centers as “prisons.”
The human toll of these policies is heartbreaking. Jordy, a 17-year-old fleeing gang violence in Guatemala, was detained upon reaching the U.S. and sent to a migrant facility. “They put us in cold rooms and ask questions; I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said, voicing his fears. Similarly, the 2019 deaths of Oscar Ramirez and his 2-year-old daughter Valeria, who drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande, remain a stark reminder of the crisis’s tragic dimension.
International Reactions and Future Scenarios
The U.S.’s hardening immigration stance is reverberating globally. Organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International have labeled camp conditions and family separations as “human rights violations.” While Mexico cooperates by accepting deportees, Sheinbaum’s decision to deploy police to the northern border—in exchange for Trump shelving tariff threats—could escalate tensions between the two nations.
Experts are divided on whether these policies will reduce illegal immigration in the long term. Some analysts suggest the harsh measures could deter crossings, while others warn they may push migrants toward riskier routes. In 2023, over 2.24 million people attempted to reach the U.S. via Mexico—a figure that may shift under the new policies, though only time will tell.
Conclusion: A Nation Tested by Migration
Though historically dubbed a “nation of immigrants,” the U.S. today finds itself deeply polarized over immigration policy. Trump’s border security focus is cheered by supporters but decried as inhumane by critics. Children in migrant camps, shackled adults on deportation flights, and those lost crossing rivers show this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about lives. America’s struggle with migration will likely remain a defining issue, both at home and abroad, for years to come.
