In the United States (U.S.) presidential election held on November 5, 2024, Donald Trump, the Republican Party candidate, secured victory. During his tenure as President from 2017 to 2021, Trump became particularly prominent on the global stage due to his controversial and highly restrictive immigration policies. The Trump administration implemented substantial reforms to immigration policies, which heralded a particularly challenging era for immigrants.
Among the notable anti-immigrant policies during Trump’s presidency were the removal of the right for victims of domestic violence to apply for asylum, the extension of the waiting period for work permit applications from 150 days to 365 days after the U.S. judicial authorities accepted the asylum application, the conduct of asylum processes in Mexico instead of U.S. borders, and the rejection of work permit applications for those who entered the country illegally.
Another highly controversial policy of the Trump administration was the travel restrictions imposed on certain Muslim-majority countries, which drew widespread criticism from the international community. These restrictions targeting countries with a high Muslim population, such as Iran, Libya, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen, have often been described as “anti-Islamic” and “discriminatory” by religious communities, affected countries, and international organizations.[1]
With Joe Biden assuming the presidency of the U.S. in 2021, a significant portion of the restrictions imposed on immigrants during the Trump era has been lifted. This change has facilitated the decision-making processes for individuals planning to seek asylum in the U.S. It can be stated that the immigration policies of the Biden administration have created a more favorable environment for many immigrant groups, including Turks.
The increase in the number of Turks seeking asylum in the U.S. since 2021 supports this situation. In 2021, the number of Turks seeking asylum in the U.S. was 4,989, while in 2022, this number reached 19,470.[2] The number of Turkish asylum seekers recorded as 18,986 in 2023 has been reported as 13,311 in 2024.[3] The number of Turks entering the U.S. using the Mexican border has exceeded 40,000.[4] It can be said that the immigration policies of the Biden era played an important role in the process of Turkish immigration to the U.S.
The re-election of Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. presidential election has caused serious concern among immigrants.[5] During the election campaign, his statements about reinstating the harsh policies he had implemented in the past have increased expectations of a significant influx of Turkish immigrants at the U.S. border before he takes office on January 20, 2025.[6] The immigrants’ hasty attitude is related to the fear that past restrictions will be reimposed.
It is likely that this potential wave of migration will create a crisis situation by exceeding the capacity of the migrant camps at the U.S. border. Additionally, it is anticipated that the surge in asylum applications will place a significant burden on U.S. immigration courts. It is highly likely that this expected migration movement will have unforeseen consequences not only in the U.S. but also on the Mexican side of the border. Especially considering the effective role of Mexican cartels in U.S.-Mexico border crossings, it is assessed that the dense population of migrants expected to accumulate in northern Mexico until the date Trump takes office as President could lead to instability in the region.
Trump’s stringent immigration policies continue to exert a profound influence not only on individuals but also on the international relations and societal dynamics of the U.S. The issue of immigration continues to be an important topic that will shape the future administrations and international reputation of the U.S. Especially for Turkish immigrants, the fact that the relatively favorable conditions created by the Biden administration will become more difficult again during the Trump era is a harbinger of the challenges immigrants will face in the coming years. This situation could lead not only to individual tragedies but also to an increase in humanitarian crises at the U.S.-Mexico border.
In conclusion, Donald Trump’s immigration policies have shaped not only the lives of immigrants but also the global perception of the U.S. and its stance on human rights. Although Joe Biden’s withdrawal of these policies has created some relief for immigrants, it is anticipated that a difficult period for immigrants will resume with Trump’s return to the presidency. The intense interest of Turkish citizens in the U.S. and the activity at the Mexican border reveal that the immigration policies of the U.S. are not only a local issue but also a global one.
[1] “U.N. Rights Chief Says Trump’s Travel Ban Is Illegal”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trump-immigration-un-idINKBN15E1SV/, (Accessed date: 11.26.2024).
[2] “U.S. Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations Encounters by State, 2024”, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/nationwide-encounters, (Accessed date: 11.26.2024).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Montoya-Galvez, Camilo, and Suvro Banerji. “They’re Very Scared: Migrants Anxiously Monitor U.S. Election, Fearing Trump Win”, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/migrants-anxiously-monitor-u-election-fearing-trump-win/, (Accessed date: 11.26.2024).
[6] “Trump Says Immigrants Are ‘Poisoning the Blood of Our Country.’ Biden Campaign Likens Comments to Hitler”, NBC News, www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-immigrants-are-poisoning-blood-country-biden-campaign-liken-rcna130141, (Accessed date: 11.26.2024).
