The Forum Daily | Tuesday, January 21, 2025https://immigrationforum.org/

**THE FORUM DAILY**

We knew yesterday’s immigration executive orders likely would be tough, but knowing doesn’t make it easier to see them in print. 

Among much else, the actions would diminish birthright citizenship [link removed]; at least temporarily halt refugee resettlement [link removed] and more severely restrict asylum [link removed]; and initiate expansive enforcement actions that pave the way for mass deportations [link removed], as Rebecca Santana, Elliot Spagat and Gisela Salomon of the Associated Press [link removed] report. Stephen Dinan of The Washington Times [link removed] has more on the orders.  

The birthright citizenship order would apply not only to children of undocumented parents, but also to babies born to some people in the country lawfully and temporarily, such as those on student, visitor and non-immigrant visas, our policy experts point out. It would not apply retroactively. 

The order would take effect in 30 days, as Camilo Montoya-Galvez of CBS News [link removed] reports. Several parties already have sued to block it, arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment and federal law, reports Josh Gerstein of Politico [link removed]. The parties also note that the order could leave some children stateless. 

We also heard President Donald Trump speak about broader goals that can overlap with better immigration policies, such as countering inflation and bolstering American manufacturing. Jennie commented [link removed] on both facets, and at 2:15 ET tomorrow, she’ll speak during a Facebook Live [link removed] together with Larry from our policy team, Stewart Verdery of the Council on National Security and Immigration, and the Rev. Gabriel Salguero of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition. 

Here’s what you can expect from the Forum and our partners today and in the next four years: We’ll never stop promoting safety, order and compassion, in line with American values. We’ll look for areas of potential, where administration goals overlap with opportunities for policies that benefit all of us, no matter where we were born. We’ll hold the administration accountable when it overreaches. 

We’ll also remain a resource. In addition to updated principles [link removed] and our early take on Trump’s first 100 days [link removed] regarding immigration, last week we partnered with the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation to release a paper about the heavy-equipment industry’s labor challenges and potential solutions [link removed].  

Welcome to Tuesday's edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s strategic communications VP, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Jillian Clark, Soledad Gassó Parker, Broc Murphy, Clara Villatoro and Becka Wall. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected] mailto:[email protected]. 

DACA RULING — An appeals court ruled Friday that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is unlawful, but the program remains in place pending further appeals, Ariana Figueroa of States Newsroom [link removed] reports. It should be noted that President Trump did previously state that he wants to find a solution for Dreamers and those a part of the DACA program. However, as Jennie said previously [link removed], "Until Congress takes action, the future will remain uncertain — not just for Dreamers but also for their families, their communities, and their employers and employees. ... Americans want [link removed] our leaders to create pathways that will allow Dreamers to cement their contributions to the U.S."  

**ON THE HILL** — The Senate gave final approval to a bill [link removed] that would crack down on immigration enforcement, report Sahil Kapur and Frank Thorp V of NBC News [link removed]. It would require law enforcement to detain undocumented immigrants who commit nonviolent crimes. 

**CANCELED** — Nearly immediately, the new administration halted the use of the CBP One app [link removed], which encouraged legal, orderly asylum processing at the southern border, report Terrian Spurs and Jonathan Mejia of Fox 26 Houston [link removed]. Meanwhile, under Trump’s order to halt refugee resettlement, the flights of nearly 1,600 Afghans already cleared to resettle are being canceled, reports Jonathan Landay of Reuters [link removed]. "[U]naccompanied children, (Afghan) partner forces who trained, fought and died or were injured alongside our troops, and families of active-duty U.S. service members are going to be stuck," said Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition of U.S. veterans and advocacy groups.  

**DEPORTATIONS’ SPECTER** — Herminia, an undocumented mother to two U.S.-born children, talks about her fears with Michael Barbaro of The New York Times [link removed]’ "The Daily." She plans to keep the blinds closed, attend church virtually, and stop traveling outside her home. "How am I? Scared, worried, but praying God that nothing happens to us," she says. Meanwhile, Lauren Villagran of USA Today [link removed] highlights the difficulty of finding immigrants with criminal records — whom Americans want to be the priority for deportations [link removed], as Jennie points out in the piece. 

**THE HELPERS** — We’ll also keep sharing heartening stories of local welcome and support — these local connections are how the immigration conversation eventually will shift. (Please send us examples we might otherwise miss!) Here’s a sample on this first full day of a new administration: 

* As second Trump administration begins, faith leaders, immigrant advocates prepare [link removed] (Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal) 

* Nassau County neighbors help homeless Cuban immigrant find shelter in Tampa [link removed] (Finn Carlin, Action News Jax)  

* Local leaders engage Latino community in North Charleston, amid immigration concerns [link removed] (Claire Weber, WCIV)  

* Immigration advocates in Pittsburgh brace for Trump’s return — and prepare to push back [link removed] (Oliver Morrison, WESA) 

* Nonprofits support Nashville’s immigrant community amid deportation fears [link removed] (Patsy Montesinos, WTVF) 

Thanks for reading, 

Dan 

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