Vivek Ramaswamy Believes Trump Prioritizes America First in Immigration

Key Takeaways

• Project 2025 enforces stricter immigration by closing borders, ending TPS, and expanding deportations from January 2025.
• OBBBA signed July 4, 2025, quadruples detention funding, enables indefinite family detention, and cuts immigrant benefits.
• Birthright citizenship restricted from February 19, 2025, denying US citizenship to some children born to undocumented parents.

The Trump administration’s return in 2025 has brought sweeping changes to immigration policy, with Vivek Ramaswamy publicly supporting President Trump’s “America First” approach. these changes, many of which are part of the administration’s “Project 2025” plan, affect millions of immigrants, their families, employers, and communities across the United States 🇺🇸. Here’s a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, key dates, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future immigration applications.

Summary of What Changed

Since January 2025, the Trump administration has rolled out a series of aggressive immigration policies under Project 2025. These policies focus on strict border control, reducing the number of people allowed to immigrate, and expanding enforcement. The administration’s actions include:

• Shutting down the border with new barriers and tougher rules for asylum seekers.
• Repealing Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 700,000 people, including those who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years and Ukrainians who fled war.
• Ending protections for Dreamers (DACA recipients) and cutting or eliminating many visa categories.
• Expanding E-Verify to check work eligibility for all employees, even though it sometimes wrongly affects workers of color.
• Requiring local and state police to help federal immigration agents, including sharing driver’s license and voter information.
• Expanding detention and deportation, including building new detention camps and allowing indefinite detention of families and children.
• Restricting birthright citizenship for some children born in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which increases funding for detention and cuts benefits for many immigrants.

These changes reflect the administration’s hardline stance, which Vivek Ramaswamy has praised as always putting America first.

Who Is Affected

The new policies impact a wide range of people and groups:

• TPS holders from countries like El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Ukraine, who now face loss of legal status and possible deportation.
• Dreamers (DACA recipients), who risk losing protection from deportation and work permits.
• Families seeking reunification, as family-based immigration is being restricted.
• Victims of crime who rely on T and U visas for protection.
• Immigrants in detention, including children and families, who now face longer and possibly indefinite detention.
• Employers and workers, especially those affected by expanded E-Verify and new work eligibility checks.
• Local communities, as police are now required to help with immigration enforcement.
• Children born in the United States 🇺🇸 to parents without legal status, who may no longer receive citizenship.

Effective Dates

• Project 2025 policies began rolling out in January 2025, with many changes taking effect immediately through executive orders.
• Birthright citizenship restriction took effect on February 19, 2025, through an executive order.
• Repeal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) began in early 2025, with notices sent to affected individuals.
• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, with funding and enforcement changes starting soon after.
• Expanded E-Verify requirements are being phased in throughout 2025, with all employers expected to comply by the end of the year.

Required Actions

If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, here are important steps to take:

• TPS Holders: Check your status and deadlines. You may need to seek legal advice about other options or prepare for possible removal proceedings. The official USCIS TPS page provides updates and instructions.
• DACA Recipients (Dreamers): Monitor your status closely. Renewals may no longer be accepted. Seek legal help to explore other forms of relief.
• Families and Sponsors: If you are applying for family-based immigration, expect longer wait times and possible denials. Stay updated on policy changes and consult with an immigration attorney.
• Employers: Make sure you are using the latest version of E-Verify and follow all new requirements. Mistakes can lead to penalties.
• Crime Victims: If you are applying for a T or U visa, check the USCIS Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes page for updates and possible changes to eligibility.
• Parents of U.S.-born Children: If you are undocumented or have only temporary status, be aware that your child’s citizenship may be challenged under the new rules. Seek legal advice if you are affected.
• Anyone Facing Detention or Deportation: Know your rights and seek help from trusted legal organizations. The American Immigration Lawyers Association and National Immigration Law Center offer resources.

Implications for Pending Applications

Many people have pending applications for visas, green cards, or other forms of relief. Here’s what you need to know:

• Pending TPS and DACA Applications: Most new applications are being rejected, and renewals are not guaranteed. If your application is pending, check your case status regularly and consult with a lawyer.
• Family-Based Petitions: Applications may be delayed or denied as the administration shifts to a merit-based system. If you have a pending petition, expect longer processing times and possible requests for more information.
• T and U Visas: Pending applications may be put on hold or denied as the administration moves to eliminate these categories.
• Asylum Applications: New barriers and stricter rules mean many asylum claims are being denied or delayed. If you have a pending asylum case, stay in close contact with your attorney.
• Employment-Based Visas: The focus is shifting to highly skilled workers, so applications from less-skilled workers may be denied or delayed.
• Birthright Citizenship: If your child was born in the United States 🇺🇸 after February 19, 2025, and you or your spouse do not have legal status, your child’s citizenship may be denied. Legal challenges are ongoing, so seek advice if you are affected.

Details of Major Policy Changes

Project 2025 and Immigration Overhaul

Project 2025 is the administration’s plan to reshape immigration from top to bottom. It includes:

• Border shutdowns with more wall construction and fewer people allowed to seek asylum.
• Repeal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), affecting nearly 700,000 people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for years, including many who fled war or disaster.
• Ending DACA and other protections, putting Dreamers at risk of deportation.
• Cutting visa categories, especially those for family reunification and victims of crime.
• Expanding E-Verify, which checks if someone is allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. This system sometimes makes mistakes, especially for people of color.
• Requiring local and state police to help with immigration enforcement, even if local officials disagree.

Expanded Deportations and Detention

The administration has increased the number of people being detained and deported:

• Expedited removal now applies nationwide, meaning people can be deported quickly without seeing a judge.
• More money for detention: $45 billion has been set aside through 2029 to expand detention centers, including for families and children.
• Indefinite detention is now allowed for families and children, which experts say can cause serious harm.
• New detention camps are being built, and state and local police, as well as the National Guard, are being used for immigration enforcement.

Restricting Immigration Relief and Family Reunification

• DACA, TPS, and visas for crime victims are being repealed or restricted, leaving many people without protection.
• Family-based immigration is being cut back, with a move toward a system that favors skilled workers over family ties.
• The Diversity Visa Lottery is being targeted for elimination, reducing opportunities for people from underrepresented countries.

Birthright Citizenship Restriction

A new executive order, effective February 19, 2025, tries to deny citizenship to children born in the United States 🇺🇸 if their parents are not citizens or lawful permanent residents. This is a major change from the long-standing rule that anyone born in the country is a citizen.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, this bill:

• Quadruples the budget for immigration detention, allowing for more and larger detention centers.
• Allows indefinite detention of families and children, which goes against previous legal protections.
• Cuts health care, nutrition, and tax benefits for many immigrants and their children, increasing hardship in immigrant communities.

Visa Policies and National Security

The State Department is now focusing on “putting America first, not China,” by:

• Revoking visas that are seen as a security risk.
• Prioritizing national security in all visa decisions, which may lead to more denials and delays.

Practical Implications for Immigrants and Communities

These changes have real effects on people’s lives:

• Increased fear and insecurity: More raids and detentions, even in places like schools and hospitals, have made many immigrants afraid to go about their daily lives.
• Loss of legal protections: Hundreds of thousands of people, including Dreamers and TPS holders, are at risk of losing their status and being deported.
• Family separation and trauma: Indefinite detention and family separation are causing serious harm, especially to children.
• Reduced access to services: Cuts to health care and nutrition aid are making life harder for many immigrants.
• Strained community-police relations: Local police are now required to help with immigration enforcement, which can make immigrants less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police.
• Less diversity and family reunification: The shift to a merit-based system means fewer opportunities for families to reunite and for people from underrepresented countries to immigrate.

Expert and Public Perspectives

Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates have strongly criticized these policies, calling them harmful and inhumane. They warn that the changes will cause long-term damage to immigrant communities and go against American values. Public opinion is mostly negative, with many people opposing the suspension of asylum and the use of local police for immigration enforcement. Legal challenges are ongoing, especially against the birthright citizenship order and the expansion of expedited removals.

Background and Historical Context

Many of these policies build on actions taken during Trump’s first term (2017-2021), such as family separation and border wall construction. Project 2025, developed by former Trump officials, goes even further by creating a system for mass deportation that involves federal, state, and local agencies, and even the military.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the administration is expected to keep expanding enforcement and tightening eligibility for immigration. Legal battles over birthright citizenship and due process rights will likely continue. Unless Congress acts, programs like TPS and DACA may be eliminated entirely. The administration’s approach could also influence immigration debates in other countries.

Official Resources and Contacts

For the latest updates and official information, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. This site provides details on TPS, DACA, asylum, and other immigration programs, as well as links to official forms and instructions.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

• Stay informed: Immigration policies are changing quickly. Check official government websites and trusted legal organizations for updates.
• Seek legal help: If you are affected by these changes, talk to a qualified immigration attorney or a trusted nonprofit organization.
• Know your rights: Even if you are undocumented, you have certain rights. Learn about them and keep important documents handy.
• Prepare for possible changes: If you have a pending application, be ready for delays or new requirements.
• Advocate and connect: Join local groups or advocacy organizations to stay connected and support each other.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Trump administration’s 2025 immigration overhaul, supported by Vivek Ramaswamy and outlined in Project 2025, marks one of the most significant shifts in U.S. immigration policy in decades. The repeal of Temporary Protected Status, expanded enforcement, and new restrictions on legal immigration are already having a deep impact on millions of people. Staying informed and seeking help are the best ways to protect yourself and your family during this time of rapid change.

Learn Today

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status granted to eligible nationals from designated countries facing crises.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) → A U.S. policy protecting certain undocumented immigrants brought as children from deportation and work bans.
E-Verify → A federal system employers use to verify the legal work eligibility of their employees.
Birthright Citizenship → The constitutional right granting U.S. citizenship to anyone born within the United States territory.
Detention Centers → Facilities where immigrants are held while awaiting immigration proceedings or deportation.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump administration’s 2025 immigration overhaul under Project 2025 imposes strict border control, ends TPS and DACA protections, expands deportation, and restricts birthright citizenship, deeply impacting millions. Legal challenges continue while affected immigrants must seek counsel and stay informed to navigate this historic policy shift.
— By VisaVerge.com