Key Takeaways
• DHS reported 7,300 deportations and ICE made 5,537 arrests in one week, January 2025.
• Trump administration expanded expedited removal nationwide and enforcement in sensitive locations.
• Over 9 million green card holders are eligible for citizenship, but under 8% applied in 2024.
A surge in deportations and strict enforcement actions has marked the opening weeks of President Trump’s second term, leaving millions of immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸 facing new risks and uncertainty. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported thousands of removals, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up arrests and expanded its reach to places once considered off-limits. For many lawful permanent residents (LPRs), these developments have made U.S. citizenship more important than ever, offering a sense of relief and security in a rapidly changing environment.
Deportations and Enforcement: What’s Happening Now?
In just the first week of January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security reported 7,300 deportations, with 2,373 removals carried out by ICE from within the country. ICE also made 5,537 arrests and issued 4,333 detainers—requests to hold individuals for possible deportation—in a single week. President Trump has made it clear he wants these numbers to rise, setting a quota of 75 arrests per day per ICE field office, which adds up to 1,875 daily nationwide. According to White House officials, this is just the starting point, not the limit.
The Trump administration has also expanded expedited removal across the entire United States 🇺🇸. This means that any undocumented person caught anywhere in the country who cannot prove they have lived in the U.S. for at least two years can be deported immediately, without seeing an immigration judge. This is a major change from previous rules, which limited such fast-track removals to certain areas near the border.
Perhaps most concerning for many immigrants, ICE is now allowed to conduct enforcement actions at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship. These were previously considered safe zones, but the new policy removes those protections.
Revoking Humanitarian Protections
Another major policy shift came when DHS Secretary Noem revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 600,000 Venezuelans. TPS is a program that lets people from certain countries stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 if it’s unsafe for them to return home. Unless court challenges succeed or the protections are extended, these individuals could lose their legal status and work permits as early as April or September 2024.
The Push for Naturalization
Despite this tough enforcement climate, the number of people becoming U.S. citizens remains high. In Fiscal Year 2024, 818,500 new citizens were welcomed, with an approval rate of over 89% for naturalization applications. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received 993,120 applications in 2024, approving 816,180 and denying 86,333.
Still, there is a large gap between those who are eligible and those who actually apply. More than 9 million lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can apply for citizenship, but fewer than 8% did so in 2024. The largest groups of eligible immigrants live in California (26%), New York (14%), Texas (12%), and Florida (8%).
Why Citizenship Matters More Than Ever
For many immigrants, the current enforcement environment has made the benefits of citizenship clearer than ever. U.S. citizens cannot be deported (except in rare cases of denaturalization), can vote in all elections, and have access to a wider range of jobs and government benefits. Citizenship also brings peace of mind, especially for those with families or deep ties in the United States 🇺🇸.
Green card holders, on the other hand, can lose their status and be deported for certain crimes or immigration violations. The new policies—especially the expansion of expedited removal and enforcement at sensitive locations—have increased the risks for anyone without citizenship.
The Naturalization Process: Step by Step
For those considering the path to citizenship, here’s how the process works in 2025:
- Check Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen)
- Show good moral character
- Pass English and civics tests
- Meet residency and physical presence requirements
- File the Application
- Submit Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) official link to Form N-400
- Fee: $760 ($710 if filed online)
- Discount: 50% off for applicants under 400% of the federal poverty line
- Biometrics Appointment
- Attend a fingerprinting appointment for background checks
- Interview and Testing
- Go to a USCIS interview
- Complete the English and civics tests
- Decision
- Receive approval or denial (the approval rate in 2024 was 89%)
- Oath Ceremony
- Take the Oath of Allegiance and receive a Certificate of Naturalization
For more details on eligibility and the application process, visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The Trump administration’s new policies have changed the landscape for many groups:
- Noncitizens without legal status: The risk of deportation is now much higher, especially for those who cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years.
- TPS holders: Over 600,000 Venezuelans could lose their protection and work permits unless the courts intervene or the administration extends TPS.
- Green card holders: Even those with legal status face increased risks, especially if they have old criminal convictions or other issues in their records.
- Immigrant families and communities: The expansion of enforcement to sensitive locations has created fear and instability, making it harder for people to go about their daily lives.
Legal and Community Responses
The legal community has seen a surge in naturalization applications as LPRs seek the security that citizenship provides. Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups are urging eligible immigrants to apply for citizenship as soon as possible, given the current risks.
State attorneys general are also stepping in, providing guidance to nonprofits, hospitals, and places of worship on how to respond if ICE comes to their locations. Some Trump administration policies, such as the revocation of TPS and changes to parole programs, have been temporarily blocked by court orders, but the overall trend is toward stricter enforcement.
The Numbers Behind the Headlines
- Deportations: 7,300 in one week (January 22–28, 2025)
- ICE Arrests: 5,537 in one week
- Detainers Issued: 4,333 in one week
- Naturalizations in FY2024: 818,500
- Naturalization Approval Rate: 89%
- Eligible for Citizenship: Over 9 million LPRs
- Median Wait Time for Naturalization: 7 years as an LPR (longest for Mexico/Canada: 10.4 years; shortest for India: 5.9 years)
- Naturalization Fee: $760 ($710 online), with discounts available
How Enforcement Has Changed
The Trump administration has made several key changes to immigration enforcement:
- Expanded Expedited Removal: Now applies nationwide, not just near the border. Anyone who cannot prove two years’ residence can be deported immediately.
- Enforcement at Sensitive Locations: ICE can now operate in schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship.
- Daily Arrest Quotas: ICE field offices must meet a minimum number of arrests each day, increasing pressure on agents and communities.
- Revocation of TPS: Humanitarian protections for Venezuelans have been removed, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes have created a climate of fear and uncertainty for many immigrants, but have also led to a rise in naturalization applications as people seek protection.
The Human Impact
For many new Americans, citizenship brings a sense of safety and belonging. One recent naturalization ceremony in Texas saw hundreds of immigrants from dozens of countries take the Oath of Allegiance, with many expressing relief that they no longer have to worry about deportation or losing their status.
But for those still waiting to apply, the process can feel overwhelming. The median wait time for naturalization is 7 years as a green card holder, and the application fee—while discounted for some—can be a barrier for low-income families. Advocacy groups are working to provide legal help and financial support to those who need it.
What’s Next? The Road Ahead
Looking forward, the Trump administration is expected to keep pushing for higher deportation numbers and stricter enforcement. The ability of ICE and DHS to meet these goals will depend on funding from Congress and the outcome of ongoing court cases.
At the same time, legal experts and advocacy groups expect the demand for naturalization to remain high. Many LPRs are motivated by the desire to protect themselves and their families, as well as the right to vote in future elections.
The fate of TPS holders and other humanitarian programs remains uncertain. Court decisions and new administrative actions in the coming months will shape what happens next for hundreds of thousands of people.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants
If you or someone you know is a green card holder and eligible for citizenship, now may be the best time to apply. Here are some steps to consider:
- Check your eligibility for naturalization using the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center.
- Gather your documents early, including proof of residency, tax records, and any criminal history.
- Consider legal help if you have a complicated case or old criminal convictions.
- Apply online to save on fees and speed up processing.
- Prepare for the English and civics tests using free resources from USCIS.
For those facing enforcement actions or worried about their status, it’s important to know your rights. Many nonprofit organizations and legal aid groups offer free or low-cost help.
Key Takeaways
- Deportations and enforcement actions have increased sharply under President Trump’s second term, with ICE now operating in sensitive locations and under daily arrest quotas.
- Naturalization offers the strongest protection against deportation and brings full rights and benefits, including the right to vote.
- Over 9 million green card holders are eligible for citizenship, but most have not yet applied.
- The naturalization process is straightforward but can take time and money; discounts are available for low-income applicants.
- Legal and advocacy groups urge eligible immigrants to apply for citizenship as soon as possible, given the current risks.
- The future for TPS holders and other vulnerable groups is uncertain, with court cases and policy changes expected in the coming months.
Where to Find Help
- USCIS Citizenship Resource Center: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
- Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization): https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
- DHS Official Website: https://www.dhs.gov
- Legal Aid and Nonprofit Organizations: Many local groups offer help with naturalization and defense against deportation.
As the enforcement landscape continues to shift, staying informed and taking action—especially for those eligible for citizenship—remains the best way to secure your future in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Deportation → The forced removal of a noncitizen from the United States for legal reasons.
Expedited Removal → A process allowing immediate deportation without a hearing if certain criteria aren’t met.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → Humanitarian status allowing nationals of unsafe countries to live and work in the US temporarily.
Naturalization → The legal process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a US citizen.
Detainer → A request by ICE to hold individuals suspected of being removable for immigration authorities.
This Article in a Nutshell
In early 2025, deportations surged with ICE enforcing new daily arrest quotas and expanded removal procedures. Citizenship gains importance as protections for noncitizens decline under Trump, prompting a record number of naturalization applications despite extensive challenges and uncertainties facing immigrants across the United States.
— By VisaVerge.com
