The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the United States has seen its first decline in the foreign-born population in more than 50 years. The agency attributes this shift to a series of enforcement and policy changes implemented under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.
According to DHS, increased immigration enforcement funding, new deportation protocols, and stricter border security have led to hundreds of thousands of deportations. Additionally, officials report that over two million individuals have left the country voluntarily rather than face removal proceedings. The administration plans to maintain these efforts with the deployment of newly trained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the coming months.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem said we’d secure the border, enforce our laws, reinstate integrity into our immigration system, and protect American jobs and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The era of mass illegal migration, open borders, and visa abuse is over. The American people finally have a government that enforces the law, not one that apologizes for it.”
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also increased scrutiny on visa programs as part of broader efforts to address fraud and abuse within the immigration system. In August, USCIS updated its policy manual to require additional screening related to parole requests and involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations. The update also includes guidance for adjudicating benefit requests when evidence of antisemitic activity is present.
In September, DHS conducted Operation Twin Shield alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and ICE. This operation reviewed more than 1,000 cases involving potential fraud or ineligibility; over 900 site visits were performed, resulting in findings of fraud or national security concerns in 275 instances.
In October, DHS ended automatic extensions for certain employment authorization categories. Officials say this change will allow for more frequent vetting of applicants seeking work authorization in the US and improve detection of potential fraud or threats.
The administration states these measures are intended to restore order to US immigration policy while prioritizing resources for mass removals and enhancing public safety.
