Trump's second-term immigration policies poised to face big fallout

Within hours of his second inauguration on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a series of measures aimed at tackling what he described as a "catastrophic invasion" by illegal immigrants, but the bold and aggressive nature of these measures has set the stage for significant political and legal repercussions.

Notable among the policies was the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. It marks the beginning of a broad and far-reaching immigration crackdown that includes directing the Pentagon to provide support for border wall construction, detention space and migrant transportation, as well as granting the secretary of defense the authority to send troops to the border as needed.

The president also called for the resumption of the controversial "remain in Mexico" policy that he enacted during his first term. Under this policy, asylum seekers are forced to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed, a move that has faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations.

"During Trump's first term, the keyword was 'build the wall,'" Sun Taiyi, an associate professor of political science at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, U.S., told CGTN. But "he barely started building the wall and now knows how difficult constructing a long border wall is."

So "his second term's border policy is now focused on the people which he has depicted as criminals hurting Americans," Sun said.

While many of Trump's supporters welcome these measures, citing the need to protect American jobs and secure the nation's borders, domestic and international reactions have been mixed.

Within the U.S., some groups see the measures as a necessary step to protect national security, while others condemn them as draconian and harmful to vulnerable immigrant communities. The "remain in Mexico" program, in particular, has drawn fierce opposition from advocates for immigrants' rights, who argue that it subjects people fleeing violence and persecution to dangerous conditions.

Activists warn that the domestic consequences of Trump's immigration policies could also be severe, with the potential to deepen the country's social divisions. They say the policies could fuel anti-immigrant sentiment among certain sections of American society while intensifying debates over racial and ethnic identity.

"Politically, Trump might score points with his base, but if any inhuman acts against undocumented immigrants were to be circulated, particularly those involving children, he might get into more controversies – although he might enjoy the sustained free media exposure," Sun said.

"Socially and culturally, the U.S. will be a less attractive destination for talents, and in the long run, this could be a significant hit on innovation and could further polarize American society," he added.

Internationally, Trump's renewed focus on tightening border controls has raised concerns, particularly among Latin American countries. As part of a series of executive orders signed on Monday, the president also designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, a move that might further complicate U.S. relations with these nations as concerns have arisen over potential militarized approaches and the complications it may pose for asylum seekers.

Observers argue that this designation may politically motivate Trump's base rather than introducing new countermeasures. Others fear the consequences on migrants and U.S.-Latin American relations, while some victim families hope it emphasizes their quest for justice. In response to the prospect of U.S. military interventions, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has vehemently rejected the possibility.

The boldness of Trump's second-term immigration approach also includes contentious proposals like challenging birthright citizenship, which would target the practice of granting citizenship to any child born on U.S. soil, a policy enshrined in the 14th Amendment.

The Republican has long expressed dissatisfaction with birthright citizenship, viewing it as an incentive for illegal immigration. His administration is now seeking ways to challenge or curtail the practice, an effort that is certain to face significant legal battles. As experts have noted, the push to end birthright citizenship will likely provoke intense legal and political opposition, further entrenching the polarized debate over immigration.