Executive Actions

DHS Directive, Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas determines that certain locations, including schools, hospitals, and churches no longer require special protection from enforcement immigration enforcement actions. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will no longer treat these “sensitive locations,” differently from other locations. As a result, Adelphi’s Policy on Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions has been reviewed with Executive Leadership and updated to address evolving regulations.

Executive Order 14188: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism directs measures to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence. On February 3, 2025, the Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism. The Task Force’s first priority will be to root out anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. As a result, the risk of deportation for students who did no more than participate in past campus protests stemming from the events on and after October 7, 2023 remains unclear. Principles and standards with respect to governing campus demonstrations at Adelphi University can be found here: Demonstration Policy

Executive Order 14161: Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats enhances immigration screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose a terrorist, national security, or public safety threat to the United States. It is likely that we will see delays and additional requirements for student and scholar visa applicants. In addition, these provisions could potentially impact international students involved in campus protests and lead to a partial or full suspension for nationals from the countries identified in the report.

Executive Order 14160: Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship orders that citizenship no longer extends to all persons born in the United States, to include: when that person’s mother was unlawfully present in the United States and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth, or when that person’s mother’s presence in the United States was lawful but temporary, and the person’s father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth. This executive order is currently paused in the courts.

Executive Order 14150: America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State orders the Department of State to align all policies and programs with an “America First” approach. This could have implications for State Department-funded international exchange and study abroad programs.

At this time, DACA has not yet been directly addressed by the Second Trump Administration.

Executive Order14159: Protecting The American People Against Invasion limits the use of humanitarian parole, designations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and employment authorization. This order also sets new enforcement policies to address illegal entry, unlawful presence, and removal of those unlawfully present in the U.S. and expand the use of expedited removal.

Executive Order 14165: Securing Our Borders terminates all categorical parole programs for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. It also increases physical barriers at the U.S. southern border, and deploys additional personnel to expand detention and removal operations.

On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, signed into law. The law requires DHS to detain certain noncitizens who are arrested, charged with, or convicted of certain offenses. It also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. This law may indirectly affect international students and professionals, with stricter visa issuance policies, especially those from countries with strained diplomatic relations with the U.S.

On February 18, 2025, the Department of State announced an Interview Waiver Update that changes the eligibility requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants who may qualify for an in-person visa interview waiver. This change limits eligibility to those seeking a visa renewal in the same category and only if their most recent visa expired within twelve months (instead of 48) prior to the application. As a result, visa appointment wait times are likely to increase.