Dear Readers,
I’ve attempted to write this post for weeks. Each time I begin, I’m confronted not only by the scale of the harm being done, but by the frustrating sense of powerlessness that comes with watching it happen. One can call out what is happening, describe it plainly, and still feel utterly incapable of stopping it.
The Trump administration’s immigration policies are not only cruel—they are also unlawful. Mass deportations have disproportionately targeted vulnerable individuals without due process or meaningful legal recourse. While writing this cannot undo what has happened or alleviate the suffering endured, the goal is to bring attention to it—and, hopefully, to expand awareness and concern.
Critics will likely dismiss comparisons with authoritarian regimes or historical atrocities. But we must ask: what do we call it when people are forcibly taken from their homes, separated from their children, denied procedural fairness, and deported? Or when ICE officers can break car windows while shouting your neighbour's name to try and deport you? These actions demand condemnation both in the States and abroad.
In this latest Sincerely Doubt That … post, I break down the Trump administration’s immigration and deportation policies—because the world should be watching, resisting, and refusing to look away.
Over 180 Executive Orders in the First 100 Days
Article II of the U.S. Constitution grants the president executive authority, including the responsibility to ensure that federal laws are enforced. Executive orders are one mechanism through which this power is exercised—they are official directives issued by the president to federal agencies, instructing them on how to implement or prioritise the enforcement of existing laws. While these orders can influence how government departments operate, they cannot create new laws or override legislation passed by Congress.
Within his first 100 days, Donald Trump signed over 180 executive orders across a wide range of policy areas—from immigration to public education—and many have been challenged in court. Below are some immigration-related orders that illustrate the extent of exclusionary and punitive policies under this administration:
Executive Order 14167 (Clarifying the Military's Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States): Amid heightened political focus on border security, the Trump administration made militarising the southern border a priority. In January 2025, Trump declared a national emergency (Proclamation 10886), describing unauthorised migration as an “invasion.” Days later, Executive Order 14167 authorised military involvement in border enforcement—an extraordinary and controversial expansion of federal power. So far, the Pentagon had spent millions on this mission, deploying large number of troops and surveillance assets to assist Customs and Border Protection. Don’t you just hate that there is always money for the military, and in this instance declaring war on immigrants , but never enough on arts, education, healthcare - causes that benefit all of us.
This militarisation of a humanitarian issue marks a concerning shift toward fear-driven governance. Framing migrants as a national security threat not only dehumanises vulnerable populations but also sets a dangerous precedent for the use of military force in domestic policy.
Executive Order 14165 (Securing our Borders): This order exemplifies a politically motivated approach disguised as policy. It opens with sweeping claims of an “unprecedented invasion” under the Biden administration, disregarding decades of migration trends and the nation’s own colonial history. The order scapegoats migrants as terrorists, spies, and criminals, stoking public fear to justify extreme measures. At its core, the order revives Trump’s focus on building physical barriers, directing DHS and DOD to “establish a physical wall and other barriers monitored and supported by adequate personnel and technology” along the southern border.
This policy is less about security and more about spectacle, rewriting history, and advancing a xenophobic agenda.
Executive Order 14163 (Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program): This order suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, effectively reversing Biden’s 2021 efforts to restore and expand refugee resettlement. Citing national security and resource constraints, it halts the admission of vulnerable individuals fleeing persecution—people the U.S. historically claimed to protect.By rescinding this humanitarian framework and shifting refugee decisions to state and local governments—some openly hostile to migrants—the administration undermines a unified federal commitment to human rights. This policy prioritises isolationism over safety and compassion.
Weaponising Archaic Law: The Return of the Alien Enemies Act
In a concerning development, the Trump administration has resurrected the Alien Enemies Act 1798(AEA) —a law originally intended for wartime use—to authorise the detention and deportation of Venezuelan nationals allegedly linked to the gang Tren de Aragua. Hundreds have already been deported to El Salvador without due process—no notice, no hearing, no judicial oversight. This does not constitute justice; it represents a serious erosion of legal protections under the guise of security.
Historically, the AEA t was invoked during declared wars such as the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. Its application then resulted in some of the darkest periods in U.S. history, including the internment of Japanese, German, and Italian nationals and the mass relocation of Japanese-American citizens. Now that the administration uses this law against Venezuelans reflects a similar pattern of scapegoating and collective punishment.
These deportations have sent individuals—many of whom are still awaiting trial or have not been charged with any crime—to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) mega-prison, where conditions have been described as inhumane. CNN reports cite overcrowded, unsanitary cells with no bedding, open toilets, and prisoners confined for 23.5 hours per day. Under President Bukele’s indefinite “state of emergency,” civil liberties are suspended, detainees lack legal defense, and indefinite detention has become routine—conditions many human rights observers classify as authoritarian.
Trump’s invocation of the AEA to justify these deportations is legally questionable. In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., appointed by Trump, determined in early May that the Act only applies when the country faces an armed, organised attack. While the legal system often falls short for marginalised groups, this decision represents a meaningful check on executive overreach.
Suspended Civil Liberties – Some Stories of the Many Injustices Experienced
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said that he wants the agency to operate deportations “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings,” envisioning mass removals managed with corporate-style efficiency. “We need to get better at treating this like a business,” he added, as if families and lives were merely logistics challenges to be solved. It is difficult to comprehend that someone who openly compares deporting human beings to delivering Amazon packages currently leads a federal agency.
This dehumanising perspective is not only inappropriate but deeply troubling. It reduces individuals to cargo and treats forced displacement as a customer service issue. No one who views human lives through these lenses should have authority over detention and deportation. ICE is not a shipping company, and immigrants are not packages. Remarks like these reveal the industrial logic behind contemporary U.S. immigration enforcement—one that prioritises speed and scale over justice, dignity, and basic humanity.
In one of the most concerning attempts to obscure government errors, Donald Trump publicly misrepresented the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, a man wrongfully deported despite a court order protecting him from removal. Ábrego, a Maryland family man, who has no gang tattoos, was deported to El Salvador by ICE. Although the government later acknowledged this was an “administrative error,” Trump responded by posting manipulated images on social media purporting to show gang tattoos, a deliberate effort to justify his administration’s failure.
This episode highlights the administration’s willingness to prioritise political defense over accountability and truth. Despite repeated claims of targeting “violent criminals,” a CBS 60 Minutes investigation found that over 75% of 238 migrants sent to El Salvador’s mega-prison had no criminal record.
Another disturbing case involves Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and recent Columbia University graduate, who has been detained for months without being charged with any crime. ICE agents arrested him and initiated deportation proceedings despite his valid green card. Khalil appears to be among a group of foreign-born, pro-Palestinian academics targeted despite valid visas or permanent residency. While several have since been released by judges, Khalil remains detained in Louisiana amid overlapping legal battles. A federal judge has ruled the government’s deportation effort is likely unconstitutional—yet Khalil remains incarcerated. This case exposes the administration’s readiness to use immigration policy as a tool for political repression, at the expense of legal norms and human rights.
Reports indicate the administration has instructed ICE to increase arrests to 1,200–1,500 people per day, abandoning prior focus on targeting the “worst offenders.” In his famous late night show, John Oliver described this approach as “sometimes targeted, sometimes arbitrary, usually blatantly racist and always cruel,” a characterisation that resonates with the documented patterns.
In April, three U.S. citizen children—including a four-year-old with Stage 4 cancer—were deported to Honduras alongside their mother, who felt she had no choice but to bring her children due to safety concerns. One lawyer reported the sick child was sent without access to medication. Trump’s former ICE chief, Tom Homan, dismissed the incident, stating that being a parent of a U.S. citizen “does not make you immune.” However, deporting citizens, especially children, violates their rights. This case underscores the broader consequences of policies that separate families and expose systemic inequities, revealing a racialised dimension to immigration enforcement.
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Key Global Consequences
I’m no Sybil, nor a conspiracy theorist, so take my words with a grain of salt—but applying basic common sense, it’s evident that Trump’s deportation policies have serious consequences well beyond U.S. borders.
Emboldening Far-Right Governments: This is not just America’s problem. When the United States—a nation that presents itself as a global leader—systematically undermines its own laws to advance a violent, nationalistic agenda, the effects ripple worldwide. Other governments take notice. Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric and policies have already inspired far-right leaders in Europe. Figures like Orban could easily adopt similar stances, exacerbating xenophobia and nationalism.
Destabilising Latin America: Mass deportations come with a significant financial and social cost. The U.S. is currently paying El Salvador $6 million to detain and house deportees for a year. While the U.S. leverages labor from these populations, Latin American countries lack the infrastructure and resources to reintegrate returnees effectively. This gap risks increased instability and may contribute to the growth of criminal organisations.
Impact on Global Refugee Policies and International Human Rights Norms: By violating asylum agreements and human rights conventions, the Trump administration undermines international human rights standards. The substantial reduction in U.S. refugee admissions weakens global resettlement efforts, leaving vulnerable populations in prolonged uncertainty and encouraging other countries to lower their intake quotas.
What can be done about this
I know it’s too late to say “don’t vote for Trump,” but seriously—after his first term and all the preparation he made for his second run, what did people think was going to happen? Those in the U.S. who cannot stand idly by while casual cruelty is disguised as national security should take action: contact your representatives, support legal challenges, and donate if you can to human rights organisations. Given the scale of executive orders now being used to limit civil liberties, there’s a strong possibility this administration will eventually come for everyone who is different. It’s better to have a community of likeminded people than to stand alone when that moment comes. Organise. Speak out. Know your rights. Don’t normalise this.
And what about those of us outside the U.S.? We don’t get a vote, but we’re not powerless. Pressure your own governments to condemn and resist U.S. human rights violations—especially if they’re allies. Support local organisations that assist migrants and refugees. Stay alert to far-right rhetoric creeping into your own politics. When one powerful country dismantles rights in full view, others will take notes. Don’t let Trump’s policies become templates.
Trump’s presidency doesn’t just threaten domestic civil liberties—it emboldens far-right governments abroad, destabilises already fragile regions like Latin America, and undermines global human rights frameworks. The U.S. paying El Salvador millions to warehouse deportees isn’t just immoral—it’s unsustainable and dangerous. Meanwhile, the administration’s disregard for refugee law weakens international norms, encouraging other nations to shut their doors, too.
What scares me isn’t just Trump—it’s the movement around him. The far right isn’t unique to the U.S., but what feels distinct is how openly it’s embraced. Watching Trump supporters rally is chilling. Their views aren’t easily swayed by facts or reason. They fund this hatred. They wear it proudly. And that should terrify every single one of us.
Yours Sincerely,
BB
Sources:
AILA. Policy Brief: The Alien Enemies Act. https://www.aila.org/library/policy-brief-the-alien-enemies-act
Al Jazeera. Court rules against Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/1/court-rules-against-trumps-use-of-alien-enemies-act-to-deport-venezuelans
Al Jazeera. Fact check: Trump’s first-week immigration orders – what are the effects? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/27/fact-check-trumps-first-week-immigration-orders-what-are-the-effects
Al Jazeera. Trump revokes legal status for 530,000 immigrants in the US. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/22/trump-revokes-legal-status-for-530000-immigrants-in-the-us
Al Jazeera. Trump says “I don’t know” when asked if he backs US due process rights. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/4/trump-says-i-dont-know-when-asked-if-he-backs-us-due-process-rights
BBC. US Supreme Court lets Trump end deportation protections for 350,000 Venezuelans https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg78471n85o
BBC. Trump calls for 20,000 new officers to aid deportations https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4k3j91q84o BBC. Six big immigration changes under Trump - and their impact so far https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn2p8x2eyo
BBC. What is the 1798 law that Trump used to deport migrants?https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy871w21d3vo
BBC. Three US citizen children, one with cancer, deported to Honduras, lawyers say https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8yj2n33yo
Federal Register. Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02011/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program
Federal Register. [Public Inspection Document]. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-02089.pdf
Guardian. ICE head suggests Amazon-like deportation system. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/ice-todd-lyons-deporation-amazon
Guardian. Trump’s use of Alien Enemies Act sparks outcry. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/15/trump-alien-enemies-act-deportations
Guardian. Who is Kilmar Ábrego García? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/16/who-is-kilmar-abrego-garcia
Hacking Law Practice. Does Trump deport immigrants? Myths vs. reality. https://hackinglawpractice.com/does-trump-deport-immigrants-policy-myths-vs-reality/
Immigration Forum. The First 100 Days of the Second Trump Administration: Key Immigration-Related Actions and Developments. https://immigrationforum.org/article/the-first-100-days-of-the-second-trump-administration-key-immigration-related-actions-and-deveopments/
Politico. Deportations court ruling. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/01/trump-deportations-court-ruling-00321455
Politico. Due process and deportations under Trump. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/10/donald-trump-immigration-deportations-due-process-00339319
Politico. Mahmoud Khalil ruling: Deportation unconstitutional. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/28/mahmoud-khalil-ruling-deportation-unconstitutional-00373865
Politico. Supreme Court and immigration parole under Trump. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/08/trump-supreme-court-parole-00336940
Reuters. Judge rules Trump cannot use Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-cannot-use-alien-enemies-act-deport-venezuelans-judge-rules-2025-05-01/
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