Trump Drops Bombshell Proposal To Prevent Future Presidents From Repeating Biden’s Open Borders Invasion

That means it remains unclear precisely which immigration authorities Trump wants Congress to restrict, what enforcement measures would become mandatory or what penalties or legal remedies would apply if a future administration declined to enforce the law in the manner envisioned by the current White House.

The broader goal, however, is clear: Trump wants to convert major elements of his current border policy from executive actions into federal statute.

Many of the administration’s immigration policies since Trump returned to office in January 2025 have relied on presidential proclamations, executive orders and existing powers delegated to the executive branch under federal immigration law.

On his first day back in office, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border and ordered federal agencies to prioritize preventing unauthorized entry. The proclamation also directed the Defense and Homeland Security departments to take steps supporting construction of additional barriers and other border-security operations.

Trump separately issued an executive order directing the government to end what his administration described as “catch-and-release” policies and increase detention and removal of migrants who enter the country unlawfully.