As we prepare for the incoming Trump administration, we are looking ahead to possible immigration policy changes.
What are these potential changes?
Possible changes may include the following.
- Making some kinds of family immigration more difficult
- Making asylum more difficult to qualify for
- Eliminating some kinds of visas and temporary statuses
- Expand ICE’s deportation powers
- Increase enforcement
- Making the citizenship process more complicated and increasing focus on denaturalization
Who will they affect?
These changes will impact different types of immigration statuses, and with different consequences.
- Undocumented immigrants (those with no immigration paperwork)
- Temporary statuses, like TPS, parole, visitor or student visas
- Lawful Permanent Residents, also known as green card holders
- Family members waiting for visas abroad
- Possibly naturalized citizens
These policy changes may disproportionately impact Muslims.
How can I plan ahead?
- File for status if you haven’t yet. Get in contact with an immigration lawyer.
- Get copies of all paperwork for yourself and your family, including citizenship certificates for children.
- Do not plan travel around the change in administration (Jan 20, 2025) and do not approach the border.
- Collect all copies of your documents before travel, and make a plan for your return to the U.S.
- Expect extra surveillance
- Anticipate possible doxing or social media scraping of your personal information
How can CAIR-WA help?
- Report incidences of Islamophobia to CAIR-WA
- We can provide an overview of your individual rights
- We can support and advocate for our community
- We can provide direct legal services or referrals to direct representation organization