A new report released on July 23by the American Immigration Council warns that the Trump administration’s return to power has unleashed a radical overhaul of the U.S. immigration system, undermining long-standing legal protections and reshaping the balance of democracy in the United States.

The 65-page report, Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America, describes an administration moving swiftly and aggressively to limit immigration, strip protections from people already in the country, and expand enforcement to levels unseen in modern history.

“This isn’t just a hardline immigration agenda,” said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the Council and co-author of the report. “It’s a wholesale effort to use immigrants and the immigration system to attack core tenets of our democracy and exercise unchecked executive power to realign the American government around exclusion and fear.”

Asylum and Refugee Programs Dismantled

At the southern border, asylum protections that have existed for decades are “effectively dead,” according to the report. The administration shut down CBP One, the application that allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry, and it has not introduced a replacement.

Asylum seekers who present themselves to officials are often turned away or detained indefinitely, even after courts rule in their favor. In one case highlighted by the report, Ilia, a nonbinary dissident from Russia, won asylum but remained locked in detention for more than a year with no release date.

The U.S. refugee program has also been halted. Tens of thousands of approved refugees remain stranded overseas, while an executive order fast-tracks entry for white South Africans under disputed persecution claims.

Legal Status Revoked for Millions

The report details how the administration has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole for over a million people, forcing many into undocumented status and ripping away work permits.

“These are individuals who have built lives and families here,” said Dara Lind, senior fellow at the Council and co-author of the report. “To strip away status overnight without legislative input is not just disruptive—it’s unlawful.”

Bureaucracy as a Weapon

Even immigrants following the legal process are facing new obstacles. Massive fee hikes slowed processing, and opaque rules have made it nearly impossible for applicants to secure or maintain lawful status.

One DACA recipient, Axel, told the Council that he is leaving his job and returning to school because of uncertainty surrounding his protection from deportation. “I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to work legally in six months,” he said. “I have to think about survival.”

Fear and Unprecedented Enforcement

The administration’s approach has created widespread fear, with federal agents conducting arrests at churches, schools, and courthouses.

Community advocates describe a climate in which “anyone can be targeted, anywhere.” Beatriz, an immigration lawyer working with noncitizen children, recalled seeing a 6-year-old appear alone before a judge. “It reminded me of my own journey to the U.S.,” she said. “But I never imagined we’d see this many children without lawyers.”

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in July, increases Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention budget by more than 300 percent. The report says this paves the way for a significant expansion of detention facilities already criticized for poor conditions.

Who Are We Forcing to Leave, and How?

The report lays out a striking reality: anyone—regardless of immigration status, history of contributions to society, or absence of criminal record—can now be a target for arrest and deportation.

Federal immigration agents have been given broad discretion to stop people based on appearance, language, or perceived nationality. Individuals who have lived legally in the United States for decades are seeing their status revoked and facing sudden deportation proceedings. Families are being separated, with parents detained while their U.S.-born children are left behind.

Anywhere, Anytime Enforcement

The American Immigration Council highlights the scope of enforcement operations. Agents have conducted arrests outside schools, churches, and courthouses, breaking long-standing protocols designed to protect sensitive locations. Hospitals and shelters have reported federal agents questioning patients and visitors about their immigration status.

In one incident cited in the report, a man leaving his child’s school concert was taken into custody after ICE officers staked out the parking lot. Similar tactics have been reported near community centers and domestic violence shelters.

“This is not targeted enforcement of serious threats,” said Lind. “This is an indiscriminate system where ordinary people going about their daily lives can be seized at any moment.”

Massive Resources Diverted to Immigration Crackdowns

The report describes an unprecedented reorganization of law enforcement priorities. Entire federal and state agencies, as well as the U.S. military, are now involved in immigration operations.

• State troopers are being reassigned to federal deportation task forces.
• Federal marshals are conducting joint raids with ICE and Border Patrol far from border regions.
• The Department of Defense has allocated resources, including surveillance drones and logistics support, to immigration enforcement.

This shift in resource allocation has negatively impacted other public safety missions, such as drug interdiction, human trafficking investigations, and efforts against organized crime.

Deporting People to Dangerous Destinations

The speed and scale of deportations have led to immigrants being sent to some of the most dangerous countries in the world without a thorough review of individual circumstances.

Kaelyn, a U.S. resident, shared that she is going into debt to fight her partner’s deportation to El Salvador, where he faces likely imprisonment in a megaprison notorious for human rights abuses. “I can’t sleep at night knowing what will happen to him if they send him back,” she said.

Advocates have documented cases of deportees being killed within weeks of returning to their home countries. Others have been jailed without trial or subjected to political persecution.

“America has long promised that it would not return people to places where they face persecution,” Gupta said. “That promise is being broken on a daily basis.”

Threats to Democratic Institutions

Beyond immigration policy, the report warns of damage to democratic institutions. The administration has openly defied congressional oversight and ignored court rulings limiting detention.

“This is about more than border enforcement,” Gupta said. “It’s about an executive branch willing to bypass checks and balances to permanently redefine who belongs in America.”

Legal experts say that even if courts block individual measures, the broader agenda could have lasting consequences. “We’re witnessing a reimagining of federal power,” Lind said. “Reversing these changes could take years, even under a future administration with different priorities.”

The report concludes that the administration’s actions amount to a deliberate, multi-front campaign to “realign the American government around exclusion and fear.” While some policies may face legal setbacks, advocates fear the damage to immigrant communities and democratic norms is already severe.

As policy battles play out in courts and Congress, millions of immigrants live in uncertainty, wondering if they will be able to remain with their families, keep their jobs, or seek protection from persecution.

“This isn’t just about immigration policy,” Gupta said. “It’s about what kind of democracy we want to be.”

To read the complete report, please visit www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/mass-deportation-trump-democracy/.

Advice for Immigrants

Due to these changes causing confusion and fear, experts strongly advise immigrants to seek assistance from reputable legal counsel. Individuals should avoid unauthorized "notarios" or unlicensed representatives who may offer immigration services without appropriate training or certification.

Connecticut residents can verify whether an attorney is in good standing by visiting the official Connecticut Judicial Branch Attorney/Firm Inquiry page. (www.jud.ct.gov/attorneyfirminquiry/)

Immigrants may also seek help from accredited nonprofit organizations recognized by the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Access Programs. These organizations provide affordable or free immigration legal services and are held to strict professional standards.

Additionally, individuals in Greater Danbury can visit The New American Dream Foundation’s Community Resource Center to schedule an individualized appointment for referrals to trusted attorneys and accredited nonprofit legal service providers. To schedule a visit, please go to: www.thenewamericandreamfoundation.org/center.

 Source: American Immigration Council, Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America, July 23, 2025.