While the administration continues to pressure Congress to grant it broad new authorities, just the past week illustrates how substantial a change is already underway, with each individual move adding up to an effort that could have lasting effects on how the US welcomes and evaluates immigrants.
And that was all just one week.
The activity across the federal government demonstrates how the administration is exploring the full limits of its powers to transform the US immigration system.
“What we’re trying to do is make it a fair system, secure the borders, put Americans first and reform it in a way that keeps America safe,” said Homeland Security spokesman Tyler Houlton.
But pro-immigration advocates say the moves add up to a dramatic change.
“The Trump administration has a lot of money and a lot of authority, and they’re using every ounce of it,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of the pro-immigration group America’s Voice. “They’re trying to turn our tradition of welcoming newcomers into a visible and invisible wall that keeps people out and kicks people out.”
Trump’s executive orders issued in the early days of his presidency laid the groundwork and vision for the policy changes, but it’s been a series of procedural moves by his agencies that have had the most impact.
As the administration has staffed up and had experts confirmed to key positions, the Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security’s components have in particular been rolling out and developing policies that sometimes don’t even require formal rulemaking procedure to accomplish change.
In particular, the agencies have drawn heavily on staff from Sessions’ former Senate office and like-minded offices and groups that have advocated for sharply restricting immigration.
In many cases, only the court system will offer opponents an avenue to challenge the authority of the administration to make such moves, a process that could take years.
CNN’s Sara O’Brien contributed to this report.
Source : CNN
