Trump administration’s latest stance on immigration enforcement sparks outrage
The Trump administration, on April 30th, introduced a stringent “catch-and-revoke” policy that targets foreign nationals legally residing or visiting the United States.
On May 2nd, the policy was made “one-strike” as announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It stipulates that any legal immigrant or visitor who violates U.S. laws could face immediate visa revocation.
“There is now a one-strike policy: Catch-And-Revoke,” Rubio declared in a social media post. “Whenever the government catches non-U.S. citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status.”
The policy specifically mentions crimes such as domestic violence and assault. However, the lack of clarity on the full range of offenses that could trigger visa revocation has raised concerns among immigration experts and civil liberties advocates.
Critics raise concerns over broad application
Immigration policy analysts have expressed apprehension about the potential overreach of the new policy.
David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, criticized the policy as “absurd” and contrary to U.S. immigration law. “Wealthy, skilled people with other options will not settle in a country where their lives can be ruined for a speeding ticket or operating an illegal lemonade stand,” Bier commented on social media.
The policy’s ambiguity regarding what constitutes a revocable offense has led to fears that even minor infractions could result in severe consequences for legal immigrants and visitors.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, highlighted instances where student visas were revoked for minor violations, including traffic infractions. “They stripped student visas from people for speeding tickets,” he noted, expressing concern that the same approach could now apply to all visa holders.
What does the future hold?
Rubio has called a visa a “privilege” instead of a right. This progression has already faced pushback. In late April, the administration had to reverse its decision to cancel the visas of hundreds of foreign students nationwide following numerous court challenges and public outcry.
For more updates on immigration policies and their impact on our community, subscribe to the Calle Ocho News newsletter.
If you’re a business in Miami-Dade or South Florida looking to reach our engaged audience, explore our advertising opportunities by contacting Pressnet Corp.
Add Comment