Trump Administration’s New Immigration Policy Threatens Green Card Seekers and Family Unity

New guidance from the Trump administration has shocked many as it threatens married immigrants seeking green cards, stating they can now face deportation during their application process. This policy particularly targets those without legal status who are applying for residency through a citizen spouse, effectively undermining long-held expectations about the immigration process. The guidance, effective immediately, also applies to individuals with pending green cards through other family members, marking a drastic shift in the immigration landscape.

Under this new directive, immigrants who have applied for lawful status based on family relationships are at risk of removal if their visas have expired, including those stripped of temporary protected status due to previous Trump administration actions. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explicitly declared that these applications do not guarantee immigration status or protection from deportation, making it clear that removal proceedings could begin at any moment.

This alarming policy change aims to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by identifying potential fraud. However, many experts assert that it will unnecessarily instill fear among immigrant families, even those doing everything according to the law. Elora Mukherjee, an authority in immigrant rights, highlighted that migrants previously assumed they were safe while seeking legal status through marriage, which is now jeopardized by this cavalier approach.

The implications of the new guidance extend beyond those currently seeking green cards. USCIS also announced intentions to revoke citizenship from children of immigrants with undocumented status, undermining established rights under the 14th Amendment. This sweeping move is being likened to fascist tactics, eroding protections for the most vulnerable demographics in American society and challenging the constitutional definition of citizenship.

With over 2.4 million pending petitions for permanent residency and a significant number of applications already filed, the stakes are high. The Trump administration’s aggressive stance on immigration law reveals a broader agenda to target undocumented families and dismantle critical pathways to citizenship, placing the American value of family unity at risk. As this policy unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the administration seeks to redefine both the immigration process and citizenship rights in a manner that aligns with their authoritarian and anti-immigrant ideologies.