Legislative Bulletin

 

 

Hello all, 

Welcome to the National Immigration Forum's weekly bulletin. Every Friday, our policy team rounds up key developments around immigration policy in Washington and across the country. The bulletin includes items on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as some coverage at the state and local levels.  

You can find the online version of the bulletin here: [link removed] [link removed].

Take care,

Nicci

**LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN - Friday, January 24, 2025**DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS WEEK # Developments-In-Immigration-Policy-This-Week

BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED #bills-introduced-and-considered

LEGISLATIVE FLOOR CALENDAR #legislative-floor-calendar

UPCOMING HEARINGS AND MARKUPS #upcoming-hearings-and-markups

GOVERNMENT REPORTS #government-reports

SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM RESOURCES #spotlight-on-national-immigration-forum-resources

**DEVELOPMENTS IN IMMIGRATION POLICY THIS WEEK**Here, we summarize some of the most important recent developments in immigration policy on the federal, legal, state, and local levels. This week, there is an additional section focused on executive actions.  

Federal 

Trump Administration Announces Drastic Immigration Changes, Setting Tone for Second Term 

President Trump began his second term by issuing a series of executive orders aimed at overhauling U.S. immigration policy, signaling a return to hardline enforcement measures. Among the actions taken, Trump declared a national emergency [link removed] at the U.S.-Mexico border, characterized unauthorized migration an "invasion" [link removed] and suggested deploying military personnel [link removed] to support border operations. The administration also suspended humanitarian parole [link removed] programs, paused refugee resettlement [link removed] indefinitely, and announced plans to end birthright citizenship [link removed] for children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents. These moves are part of a broader strategy to deter unauthorized migration and enforce stricter immigration controls, with officials describing the approach as being intended to create "shock and awe" [link removed] among migrants and immigrant communities.  

At the forefront of these efforts is a renewed focus on mass deportations, with the administration setting an ambitious goal of deporting 1 million unauthorized immigrants annually. To achieve this, Trump has rescinded Biden-era policies that limited enforcement in sensitive locations like schools and hospitals and expanded expedited removal procedures to bypass immigration courts for certain cases. Within hours of Trump’s inauguration, the CBP One mobile application had ceased functioning, [link removed] leaving approximately 270,000 migrants [link removed] waiting for appointments stranded. Additionally, the administration has ordered the revival of programs like the Migrant Protection Protocols [link removed] (aka Remain in Mexico), requiring asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their claims are processed. Critics have expressed concern that these measures could overwhelm an already backlogged immigration court system, which faces over 3.5 million pending cases [link removed]'s%20Executive,expected%20to%20attend%20their%20hearings., while also undermining due process protections [link removed] for vulnerable populations.  

The administration is also targeting sanctuary jurisdictions [link removed] by expanding the 287(g) program [link removed], which allows local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, and threatening to withhold federal funds from noncompliant states and cities. However, similar efforts during Trump’s first term faced legal challenges and were largely blocked by courts. The Department of Justice released a memo threatening [link removed] local officials with criminal prosecution for refusing to carry out the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, which was described as "legally baseless and harmful to our communities" by the American Civil Liberties Union in a memo and public letter [link removed] to Acting Attorney General James McHenry.  

Experts note that implementing such sweeping changes will require significant appropriations [link removed] from Congress, where bipartisan support for these measures remains uncertain [link removed]. While these policies align with Trump’s campaign promises to prioritize enforcement over legal pathways or humanitarian protections, experts warn [link removed] that these actions risk exacerbating tensions with immigrant communities, straining local resources, and creating unlawful barriers for individuals seeking asylum or other protections under U.S. law.  

Laken Riley Passes Senate and Heads to Trump’s Desk; Democrats Begin to Push Back 

The Laken Riley Act [link removed], a sweeping immigration enforcement bill, passed the Senate on Monday, January 20th, and now awaits Trump’s signature. In the Senate, the final vote was 64-35 [link removed] with the support of 12 Democrats. By Wednesday, a group of moderate Senate Democrats, led by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), was calling for a renewed bipartisan approach to immigration reform after the bill’s passage. In a letter [link removed] to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), the senators proposed working on comprehensive immigration legislation that balanced enforcement with protections for Dreamers and other vulnerable groups. Meanwhile, Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-SC) suggested [link removed] that Republicans plan to use budget reconciliation to bypass a filibuster and advance their border security measures without Democratic input. During the final House debate on Laken Riley Act, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) delivered a fiery speech [link removed](r-ga)%20delivered%20a%20fiery%20speech%20in%20support%20of%20the%20bill,%20calling%20for%20the%20construction%20of%20new%20prisons%20to%20detain%20undocumented%20immigrants%20and%20asserting%20that%20individuals%20who%20enter%20the%20country%20illegally%20have%20no%20rights%20under%20u.s.%20law.xn--%20greene%20criticized%20democrats,%20particularly%20representative%20alexandria%20ocasio-cortez%20(d-ny),%20for%20opposing%20the%20legislation,%20accusing%20them%20of%20prioritizing%20america%20last%20policies-r770lqg.%20in%20response,%20house%20and%20senate%20democrats%20introduced%20the%20neighbors%20not%20enemies%20act,%20which%20seeks%20to%20repeal%20outdated%20provisions%20of%20the%20alien%20enemies%20act%20of%201798%20and%20promote%20protections%20for%20immigrant%20communities.%20at%20a%20congressional%20hispanic%20caucus%20press%20conference,%20democratic%20lawmakers%20emphasized%20their%20commitment%20to%20safeguarding%20immigrant%20rights%20and%20condemned%20the%20rhetoric%20surrounding%20the%20laken%20riley%20act%20as%20divisive%20and%20harmful%20to%20immigrant%20families./ in support of the bill, calling for the construction of new prisons to detain undocumented immigrants and asserting that individuals who enter the country between ports of entry have no rights under U.S. law.  

In response to the flurry of immigration-focused executive actions and announcements from the incipient second Trump administration, some House and Senate Democrats had re-introduced the Neighbors Not Enemies Act [link removed], which seeks to repeal outdated provisions of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and promote protections for immigrant communities. Similarly, at a Congressional Hispanic Caucus press conference [link removed], Democratic lawmakers emphasized their commitment to safeguarding immigrant rights and condemned the rhetoric surrounding the Laken Riley Act as divisive and demonstrably harmful. 

Refugee Ban Goes into Effect Early and Afghans Left Stranded 

On Monday, January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order [link removed] indefinitely suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), with the suspension officially set to begin on January 27. However, refugee flights and travel plans were canceled [link removed] immediately after the order was issued, stranding thousands of refugees worldwide, including many who had already undergone years of vetting and were preparing to travel to the United States. The executive order also suspended [link removed] the innovative and successful Welcome Corps [link removed] program, which was launched in 2023. 

The executive order has also impacted Afghan allies, despite assurances that the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program [link removed] would remain unaffected. Reports indicate that flights for more than 1,600 Afghan refugees [link removed], including some SIV recipients, have been canceled. These individuals, many of whom face significant threats from the Taliban due to their association with U.S. forces or human rights advocacy, are now left in dangerous and uncertain circumstances [link removed]. Advocates warn [link removed] that this decision jeopardizes lives and sends a troubling message to U.S. allies globally about the reliability of American commitments [link removed]. While the long-term future of USRAP remains unclear, it is evident that no refugee arrivals will occur for at least the next three months under this suspension. 

Executive Actions 

Actions Announced as of 12:00PM EST January 24th, 2025: 

* Securing Our Borders  [link removed]

* Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion [link removed] 

* Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the U.S. [link removed] 

* Clarifying the Military’s Role in Protecting Territorial Integrity of the U.S. [link removed] 

* Halting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program [link removed] 

* Protecting U.S. from Foreign Terrorist & Other National Security Threats [link removed] 

* Protecting U.S. from Foreign Terrorists & Other National Security and Public Safety Threats [link removed] 

* Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship [link removed] 

* Protecting the American People Against Invasion [link removed]   

* Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety [link removed] 

Analyses and Resources: 

* American Immigration Lawyers Association - Policy Brief: Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders [link removed] 

* American Immigration Council - After Day One: A High-Level Analysis of Trump's First Executive Actions [link removed] 

* Immigrant Defense Project – Trumps Day 1 Orders: Focus on Criminalization and Detention [link removed] 

* Immigration Policy Tracking Project – Trump 2.0 [link removed] 

**BILLS INTRODUCED AND CONSIDERED**
It has already become quite challenging to keep up with the deluge of proposed legislation in the 119th Congress. So, every week, we round up federal legislative proposals that have recently been introduced and that are relevant to immigration policy. 

S.108 [link removed]  

A bill to make members of the Chinese Communist Party and their family members ineligible for F or J visas 

Sponsored by Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/16/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Schmitt  

01/16/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary  

S.112 [link removed]  

A bill to amend section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols 

Sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) (9 [link removed] cosponsors — 9 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/16/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Blackburn  

01/16/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary  

S.114 [link removed]  

A bill to provide for enhanced Federal, State, and local assistance in the enforcement of the immigration laws, to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, and to authorize appropriations to carry out the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program 

Sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/16/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Blackburn  

01/16/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

S.149 [link removed]  

A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged in the United States with theft 

Sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/17/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Cornyn  

01/17/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary  

S.158 [link removed]  

A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who have been convicted of, or who have committed, sex offenses or domestic violence are inadmissible and deportable 

Sponsored by Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/21/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Blackburn  

01/21/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary  

S.193 [link removed]  

A bill to repeal the Alien Enemies Act 

Sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) (6 [link removed] cosponsors – 0 Republicans, 6 Democrats) 

01/22/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Hirono  

01/22/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

S.200 [link removed]  

A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the eligibility requirements for asylum 

Sponsored by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Moreno  

01/23/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

S.225 [link removed]  

A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform temporary protected status, and for other purposes 

Sponsored by Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) (2 [link removed] cosponsors – 2 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Banks  

01/23/2025 Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary 

H.R.460 [link removed]  

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of State to require aliens applying for certain visas to disclose if they receive funds from the Government of the People's Republic of China or the Chinese Communist Party 

Sponsored by Rep. Gregory Steube (R-Florida) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/15/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Steube  

01/15/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

H.R.551 [link removed]  

To amend section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols 

Sponsored by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) (33 [link removed] cosponsors – 33 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/16/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Williams  

01/16/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

H.R.569 [link removed] 

To amend section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are nationals and citizens of the United States at birth 

Sponsored by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) (41 [link removed] cosponsors – 41 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/21/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Feenstra  

01/21/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

H.R.578 [link removed]  

To require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody certain aliens who have been charged in the United States with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person 

Sponsored by Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) (47 [link removed] cosponsors – 47 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/21/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Feenstra  

01/21/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary  

H.R.594 [link removed]  

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the detention of certain aliens who commit assault against law enforcement officers 

Sponsored by Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R-New Jersey) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/21/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Van Drew  

01/21/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary  

H.R.630 [link removed]  

To repeal the Alien Enemies Act 

Sponsored by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) (41 [link removed] cosponsors – Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/22/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Omar  

01/22/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary  

H.R.670 [link removed]  

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for a minimum number of refugees who may be admitted in any fiscal year after fiscal year 2026, and for other purposes 

Sponsored by Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Virginia) (10 [link removed] cosponsors – 0 Republicans, 10 Democrats) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Connolly  

01/23/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary  

H.R.673 [link removed] 

To transfer Homeland Security Investigations from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, redesignate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as U.S. Immigration Compliance Enforcement, and for other purposes 

Sponsored by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-California) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Garcia  

01/23/2025 Referred to the House Committees on Homeland Security, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary  

H.R.696 [link removed]  

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform temporary protected status, and for other purposes 

Sponsored by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) (4 [link removed] cosponsors – 4 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Nehls  

01/23/2025 Referred to the House Committees on Homeland Security, Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary 

H.R.698 [link removed]  

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permanently bar aliens who are ordered removed after failing to appear at a removal proceeding, absent exceptional circumstances, from becoming permanent residents of the United States 

Sponsored by Rep. David Rouzier (R-North Carolina) (3 [link removed] cosponsors – 3 Republicans, 0 Democrats) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Rouzier  

01/23/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

H.R.707 [link removed]  

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make unlawful voting an aggravated felony 

Sponsored by Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama) (0 [link removed] cosponsors) 

01/23/2025 Introduced in the House by Rep. Strong  

01/23/2025 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary 

**LEGISLATIVE FLOOR CALENDAR**

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will be in session from Tuesday, January 21st, through Friday, January 24th.  

**UPCOMING HEARINGS AND MARKUPS**

There are no immigration-related hearings announced for the week of Monday, January 27th.  

**GOVERNMENT REPORTS**

Reports by bodies such as the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General provide invaluable information on immigration policy and practice. Here, we give brief summaries of new immigration-related reports, with links to the resources themselves in case you want to learn more.

Congressional Research Service (CRS):  FY2024 EOIR Immigration Court Data: Caseloads and the Pending Cases Backlog [link removed];  Publicly released January 24th, 2025 

This report provides insight into the growing backlog of cases in US immigration courts, stating that, in the last three years, the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has experienced a record number of cases. The report provides an overview of FY2024 EOIR data, including numbers of new cases received, asylum applications filed, IJ staffing, case completions, and pending cases. 

Congressional Research Service (CRS):  FEMA’s Support Role: Migration at the Southwest Border [link removed];  Publicly released January 22nd, 2025 

This report details FEMA’s incident management role in supporting the federal response to migration surges at the US Southern border. It also provides information on FEMA grant programs which have helped fund state and local governments, non-profits, and faith-based organizations supporting migrants released from DHS custody. 

Congressional Research Service (CRS):  Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Programs [link removed]

**; ** Publicly released January 15th, 2025 

This report examines US Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs for Afghan and Iraqi nationals who held specific jobs such as translators, interpreters, and US government employees. The report discusses the legislative changes to the individual Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant programs since their inception, provides statistics on visa issuances, and considers program challenges. 

**SPOTLIGHT ON NATIONAL IMMIGRATION FORUM RESOURCES**The Forum is constantly publishing new policy-focused resources that engage with some of the most topical issues around immigration today. Here are a few that are particularly relevant this week: 

Trump’s Executive Actions Escalating Immigration Enforcement and Mass Deportation [link removed] 

The new administration is prioritizing immigration enforcement across federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. New enforcement policies and priorities include revoking Biden-era executive actions, expanding expedited removal processes, and increasing detention capabilities to support large-scale mass deportation efforts. 

U.S. Southern Border: President Trump’s Executive Actions on Border Security [link removed] 

President Trump implemented four executive actions to close the U.S. southern border to migrants, including those requesting asylum and humanitarian protection. The actions may counterintuitively increase pressure along the southern border, driving migrants to attempt to cross between ports of entry and evade detection, due to personnel shortfalls and limited immigration detention capacity. 

Summary of President Trump’s Executive Order on the U.S. Refugee Program [link removed] 

On January 20th, President Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) starting January 27, 2025. The suspension, effective January 22, will last at least 90 days, with a possible extension, and mandates a review by the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State to assess if refugee resettlement aligns with national interests. 

* * *

This Bulletin is not intended to be comprehensive. Please contact Nicci Mattey, Senior Policy & Advocacy Associate at the National Immigration Forum, with comments and suggestions of additional items to be included. Nicci can be reached at [email protected]. Thank you.

 

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