📣 Executive Order: Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States: What Does it Mean and What Does it Mean for You?

🌟 What Does it Mean?

This executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office declares a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, citing threats such as cartels, illegal immigration, human trafficking, terrorism, and drug smuggling. The order authorizes the deployment of military personnel and resources to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in securing the border and achieving “operational control.” It also calls for the construction of additional physical barriers, expanded use of unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, and revision of existing border policies. Proclamation 10142, which ended a prior border emergency, is revoked, and agencies are directed to prioritize the prevention of unauthorized border crossings.

🌟 What Does it Mean for You?

There will probably be no immediate effect. He asks for recommendations within the next 30 days. Thereafter, there will probably be increased detentions for those trying to cross the border. I think there will be more pressure for expedited removals, rather than voluntary departures, which will impact those who get caught at or near the border. It will also affect asylum and refugee seekers.

💭 Personal Note

I took my kids to the border wall two weeks ago (see photo). It didn't feel like there was a state of emergency. But I did learn that if you try to swim around the wall where it ends at the Pacific Ocean, there are sensors on the beach on the US side that show the US CBP exactly where you are as you try to enter the US. So, yeah, swimming around the wall isn't a very good option, either.