Well, folks, it’s official: President-elect Donald Trump is wasting no time in signaling that his second term will be laser-focused on delivering his signature promise—securing the southern border. On Monday, just hours after being sworn in, Trump plans to sign a sweeping set of executive orders aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration policy, reigniting construction of the border wall, and cracking down on the international cartels fueling the crisis. Love him or hate him, Trump is hitting the ground running, and the border is priority number one.
Trump’s plan, which includes at least 10 executive orders related to immigration and border security, marks a sharp and immediate reversal of Biden-era policies. At the heart of this strategy is a return to policies that defined Trump’s first term, including restarting construction of the border wall and reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the Remain-in-Mexico policy. For those who need a refresher, this policy requires migrants seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the U.S. courts. It was a central piece of Trump’s original border strategy and, unsurprisingly, one of the first things the Biden administration scrapped when it took office.
But Trump isn’t stopping there. One of the orders will also put an end to the Biden administration’s controversial parole policies, including the use of the CBP One app and the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) parole program, which allowed tens of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally each month. Nearly 1.5 million migrants have entered under these programs, and Trump’s action will slam the door shut on this pipeline. If you thought Trump was going to pull any punches on immigration this time around, think again.
Another executive order takes a bold step by deploying U.S. troops to the border under U.S. Northern Command. Trump isn’t just calling for a show of force—he’s demanding a full integration of military resources with federal law enforcement and intelligence. According to Trump’s team, this move is aimed at asserting U.S. sovereignty and turning border security into a top-tier national defense priority.
The Secretary of Defense will be tasked with creating a Unified Command Plan to ensure seamless cooperation between the military and other agencies. In Trump’s own words, “This sends a clear message: the United States intends to exercise its sovereignty over its land and borders.”
But perhaps the most aggressive move is Trump’s decision to designate international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). Groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua—organizations responsible for flooding the U.S. with drugs, crime, and violence—will now face the same treatment as groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda. This FTO designation allows for targeted action, including financial penalties and prosecution under anti-terror laws. Trump is invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, framing these groups as not just criminal organizations, but as national security threats that function like rogue governments. It’s a bold move designed to send shockwaves through the cartels’ operations and financial networks.
This border-focused blitz comes after years of escalating chaos at the southern border, much of it under Biden’s watch. Since 2021, millions of migrants have crossed illegally, and while a late-term Biden executive order in June 2024 slowed the flow by restricting asylum claims, the damage was already done. Trump’s actions are his clearest signal yet that the era of what his supporters call “open-border policies” is over. If anything, Trump appears ready to double down on his hardline approach, declaring his intent to deliver the “largest mass deportation campaign in history.”
Trump’s appointments also tell you exactly where this administration is headed. Former ICE Director Tom Homan, known for his tough rhetoric and no-nonsense approach, is stepping in as Trump’s “border czar.” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick for DHS secretary, is another strong-willed, pro-border-security figure, underscoring Trump’s intent to stack his administration with hardliners on immigration policy.
Critics are already gearing up for battle, calling Trump’s moves “draconian” and “inhumane.” Expect lawsuits, protests, and nonstop media coverage as Trump’s orders are rolled out. Democrats are certain to paint these actions as extreme, while Trump’s base will cheer them as the fulfillment of promises long overdue.
