Trump moves to expand ‘fast-track’ deportations

The Trump administration has expanded the process to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants who cannot prove they have continuously resided in the US for two years or more.

US border agents have been told to summarily deport migrants without requesting legal protection, according to internal documents obtained by the BBC’s US partner CBS.

The US has also canceled all refugee travel and processing, leaving thousands of people stranded as they wait to come to the US.

Trump has promised mass deportations and declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, which he says will allow the government to deploy troops and mobilize additional resources.

Trump has signed A flurry of immigration and border actions And this week’s orders are aimed at cracking down on immigration.

The orders include dealing with the definition of birthright citizenship and declaring illegal immigration at the border a national emergency.

A notice posted The Federal Register website states that the accelerated removal policy took effect on the evening of January 21.

The policy, traditionally limited to undocumented immigrants detained within 100 miles (160 km) of the country’s international borders, now allows authorities to use it anywhere in the US.

“The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety while reducing government costs by helping to expedite immigration determinations,” the notice reads.

It said the change would allow the Department of Homeland Security to address “large quantities of aliens” in the U.S. illegally and ensure “prompt removal of those … who are unable to enter, remain, or receive relief.” Or are not entitled to provide security.” ,

The extended policy can be challenged in court.

Until now, “unauthorized” immigrants detained in the US were given notices to appear in immigration court, where they could present their case for asylum.

Deportation proceedings generally cannot begin until a judge issues a decision.

But earlier this week, Trump cited an immigration law – 212(f) – that allows the president to suspend entry of foreign nationals deemed “harmful” to the US.

Citing internal documents and U.S. officials, CBS reported that the policy also applies to Customs and Border Protection maritime zones like the U.S. border with Canada and Florida.

The separate order to halt refugee travel and processing comes just days after Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), saying the U.S. has “large numbers of migrants and “Particularly there is a lack of ability to integrate refugees into their communities.” In such a way that the availability of resources for Americans is not compromised”.

The order states that it pauses USRAP until “further admissions of refugees into the United States are consistent with the interests of the United States”.

More than 1,600 Afghans who had already been approved to come to the US have had their travel plans canceled, leading an advocacy group, Afghan USRAP Refugees, to write an open letter to President Trump.

More than 3,000 other Afghan nationals are in Albania awaiting resettlement to the US.

In another significant departure from the Biden administration’s immigration policies, announced Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security is rescinding existing guidelines that bar immigration officials from entering “sensitive” areas such as schools.

In a statement, DHS said the guidelines “fail” law enforcement.

“This action empowers the brave men and women at CBP (Customs and Border Protection) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to enforce our immigration laws and apprehend criminal aliens – including murderers and rapists – who come here illegally. Have come to our country from.” a DHS spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that “the Trump administration will not tie the hands of law enforcement”, and expects them to “use common sense.”