President Trump resumes aggressive immigration policies, declaring a national emergency at the southern border. His administration is focusing on Latin America, where a majority of foreign-born individuals in the U.S. originate. AS/COA is tracking these developments, including efforts to reinterpret birthright citizenship and the militarization of the border.
On January 31, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized his focus on immigration at the start of his second term, declaring a national emergency at the southern border and calling migration an “invasion.” This commitment aligns with his 2024 campaign, where 15% of U.S. voters identified migration as a key issue, just behind inflation, according to YouGov.
Trump’s policies on migration are set to significantly impact Latin America, as over half of the U.S. foreign-born population, approximately 24.5 million people, originates from this region, per 2023 census data. Furthermore, about 77% of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants in the U.S. are Latin Americans, according to Pew Research Center statistics.
In his first term (2017-2021), Trump implemented strategies that pressured Latin American nations to accept deportees and deter migration. He is now renewing and intensifying these strategies, including a controversial reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment aimed at ending birthright citizenship and threatening punitive measures against non-compliant countries.
AS/COA Online is actively monitoring Trump’s migration policies and their implications for Latin America. The organization tracks his initiatives and campaign promises, comparing them to his first-term actions to analyze differences in approach.
As the situation evolves, significant factors include Trump’s directives to militarize the border and his consideration of designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations while potentially cutting foreign aid. The Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles reports on strategies to address security in the region.
AS/COA also examines what Trump’s “America First” trade policy means for Latin America and discusses the legal migration pathways for Venezuelans expected to flee the aftermath of fraud in July’s election. The organization also reviews the records of U.S. presidential candidates concerning immigration and trade issues relevant to the region.
In summary, President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration during his second term is likely to reshape relationships with Latin America. With specific policies aimed at reducing migration and controlling border security, the potential consequences for Latin American countries are significant. Ongoing monitoring by AS/COA aims to provide insights into this evolving issue and its impact on people within the region.
Original Source: www.as-coa.org
