New report reveals that the Trump administration’s recent immigration policies threaten the foundations of American democracy through extreme measures and a radical overhaul of the immigration system.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2025 — A special report released today provides a comprehensive analysis of the Trump administration’s first six months back in office, highlighting a significant transformation of the U.S. immigration system that poses a serious threat to the foundations of American democracy. While some voters may have endorsed a tougher stance on immigration during the election, the report illustrates how the administration’s extreme actions extend far beyond mere policy changes; they undermine the rule of law itself.
The report, titled Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America, was published on July 23 by the American Immigration Council. It details a radical, multi-faceted assault on immigrants and the immigration system.
Among the administration’s actions are severe restrictions on who can enter the United States, the removal of legal protections for those already residing in the country, and an unprecedented increase in enforcement measures. In the process, the Trump administration has dismantled long-standing legal safeguards, disregarded the authority of Congress and the courts, and weaponized government resources against immigrants and dissenters alike.
“This isn’t just a hardline immigration agenda,” said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council and co-author of the report. “It’s a wholesale effort to use immigrants and the U.S. immigration system to attack core tenets of our democracy and exercise unchecked executive power to realign the American government around exclusion and fear.”
The report outlines several key findings that underscore the administration’s aggressive approach to immigration:
The end of asylum. The report states that asylum at the southern border is effectively non-existent. The administration has shut down the CBP One application without providing an alternative. Asylum-seekers who attempt to approach a port of entry are often turned away, and in some instances, those who win their cases remain detained indefinitely.
Demolishing the refugee program. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been indefinitely suspended, with the exception of white South Africans who have been fast-tracked under questionable persecution claims. Tens of thousands of approved refugees are left stranded abroad.
Mass revocation of legal status. The administration has aggressively revoked humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over a million individuals within just six months, stripping them of work permits and forcing many into undocumented status.
Weaponizing bureaucracy. Legal immigration pathways are being obstructed by significant fee increases, processing freezes, and opaque barriers that make it nearly impossible for lawful applicants to obtain or maintain their status.
A maelstrom of fear and chaos. The administration’s aggressive enforcement tactics have instilled fear among immigrants of all legal statuses, leaving them anxious about their daily safety in the United States. Anyone can be targeted for arrest, detention, and deportation, regardless of their legal status, and these actions can occur in places such as churches, schools, and courthouses.
A radical reorganization of law enforcement resources. The Trump administration is establishing an unprecedented, cross-agency immigration operation that draws resources from various federal and state law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military, prioritizing immigration enforcement above all other public safety and law enforcement objectives.
Turbocharging an inhumane detention system. The “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enacted in July, increases the budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention by 308 percent annually, setting the stage for a dramatic expansion of a detention system already criticized for its careless and cruel management, which has placed tens of thousands of immigrants in life-threatening conditions.
The report also includes powerful firsthand accounts from individuals affected by these policies. Ilia, a nonbinary Russian dissident, won their asylum case but remained in detention for over a year without a release date. Axel, a DACA recipient and youth leader, is leaving his job to return to school amid uncertainty regarding his legal status. Beatriz, an immigrant lawyer, has encountered cases that remind her of her own journey to the U.S., including a confused six-year-old who appeared in court without representation. Kaelyn is incurring debt to prevent her partner from being deported to El Salvador’s megaprison under the Alien Enemies Act.
The report warns that while some policies may change due to legal challenges, the administration’s broader agenda remains clear: to permanently redefine who belongs in America and how power is wielded by the federal government.
“The administration’s policies are reshaping the immigration system in ways that are unfair, unlawful, and out of step with core American values,” said Dara Lind, senior fellow at the Council and co-author of the report. “We’re seeing real harm to families, communities, and the rule of law, and the public deserves to understand what’s at stake.”
The full report is available for review, along with interviews featuring experts and individuals impacted by these policies.
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