DHS Shifted Enforcement to Immigration Cases Since Trump Election, Officials Testify

Key Takeaways

• DHS refocused enforcement on immigration cases, targeting noncitizen protesters with visa revocations and expedited removal since January 2025.
• Expedited removal now applies nationwide for undocumented immigrants in US under two years, with limited judicial review.
• AAUP v. Rubio trial challenges ideological deportation policies; ICE detains record 59,000 people as of June 2025.

Since President Trump’s return to office in January 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made sweeping changes to its immigration enforcement priorities. These changes are now at the center of the AAUP v. Rubio trial, a legal battle that could reshape how immigration cases are handled—especially for noncitizen students and faculty involved in political speech. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, the key dates, what actions are required, and what these developments mean for people with pending or future immigration cases.

Summary of What Changed

The most important change is that the Department of Homeland Security has shifted its main focus from general criminal law enforcement to immigration cases. This shift is especially visible in how DHS is handling noncitizen students and faculty who have participated in protests or spoken out on issues related to Israel and Palestine. According to testimony in the AAUP trial, DHS is now prioritizing the arrest, detention, and removal of these individuals, often based on their political speech.

Other major changes include:

• Nationwide expansion of expedited removal: Undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years can now be deported quickly, without a court hearing, unless they specifically ask for asylum or another protection.
• Increased visa revocations: The State Department is revoking visas for noncitizens it considers “adverse to U.S. foreign policy,” a standard that is broad and open to interpretation.
• Mandatory detention and new self-deportation incentives: The Laken Riley Act requires detention and removal for undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of certain crimes. DHS is also offering a $1,000 stipend to undocumented immigrants who leave the country voluntarily, but this comes with long-term or permanent bans on returning.
• Record-high detention numbers: ICE is now detaining more people than ever before, with over 59,000 individuals in custody as of June 2025.

Who Is Affected

These changes have a direct impact on several groups:

• Noncitizen students and faculty: Those involved in protests or political speech, especially on issues related to Israel and Palestine, are at higher risk of visa revocation, arrest, and expedited removal.
• Undocumented immigrants: Anyone who has been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years is now at greater risk of being deported quickly, often without a chance to see a judge.
• Individuals accused or convicted of certain crimes: The Laken Riley Act means mandatory detention and removal for these individuals.
• People considering self-deportation: Accepting the DHS’s $1,000 stipend to leave the country can result in being barred from returning for many years or even permanently.

Effective Dates

• The shift in DHS priorities began in January 2025, right after President Trump took office.
• The expansion of expedited removal and the new self-deportation program started in early 2025.
• The Laken Riley Act’s mandatory detention rules are already in effect.
• The AAUP v. Rubio trial is ongoing, with key testimony and legal decisions happening throughout July 2025.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are a noncitizen student, faculty member, or undocumented immigrant, it is important to take the following steps:

• Know your rights: Understand that you may be at risk of visa revocation, arrest, or expedited removal, especially if you have participated in protests or political speech.
• Seek legal help: If you receive notice of visa revocation, arrest, or removal proceedings, contact a qualified immigration attorney immediately. Legal aid organizations and advocacy groups can also help.
• Be proactive about asylum or protection: If you are subject to expedited removal, you must clearly state your fear of returning to your home country or your eligibility for asylum. Officers are not required to ask about this, so you need to speak up.
• Think carefully before accepting self-deportation incentives: The $1,000 stipend may seem helpful, but it comes with serious consequences, including long-term or permanent bans on returning to the United States 🇺🇸.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from official sources like the Department of Homeland Security, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and trusted immigration news outlets.

Implications for Pending Applications and Immigration Cases

If you have a pending immigration case, these changes could affect you in several ways:

• Faster removal for some applicants: If you are undocumented and have been in the country for less than two years, you could be removed quickly unless you assert your right to asylum or another protection.
• Visa revocation risk: If you are a student or faculty member involved in protests, your visa could be revoked based on the State Department’s broad “adverse to U.S. foreign policy” standard.
• Limited judicial review: Expedited removal and visa revocation decisions often come with little or no opportunity to challenge the decision in court.
• Delays and uncertainty: The AAUP v. Rubio trial and related appeals have created uncertainty about what evidence the government must share and how much protection noncitizens have under the law.

Details from the AAUP Trial

The AAUP v. Rubio trial is a major legal battle testing whether the administration’s new focus on ideological deportation is legal under the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Here are some key points from the trial:

• Testimony from DHS officials: On July 15, 2025, three officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed in court that DHS has shifted its focus to immigration cases, especially those involving noncitizen student protesters.
• Targeted enforcement: DHS agents acted on State Department memoranda instructing them to arrest specific students after their visas were revoked for being “adverse to U.S. foreign policy.” The AAUP and other groups argue this is an “ideological deportation policy” that punishes people for their political views.
• Legal disputes over evidence: Judge William G. Young ruled that the government had to share some internal DHS reports with AAUP lawyers. The government appealed, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals put a temporary hold on further disclosures, delaying cross-examination of key officials.
• “Tiger Team” and Canary Mission: ICE created a special “Tiger Team” in early 2025 to investigate 5,000 student protesters identified by the Canary Mission website. This team quickly produced over 100 investigative reports, showing how coordinated and large-scale the new enforcement efforts are.

Recent Policy Changes and Enforcement Trends

The Department of Homeland Security’s new approach includes several important policy changes:

• Expedited removal nationwide: Now, any undocumented immigrant who has been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years can be deported without a court hearing unless they specifically ask for asylum or another protection. Officers do not have to ask about fear of return, so it is up to the individual to speak up.
• Visa revocations based on ideology: The State Department is using a broad standard to revoke visas for people it considers “adverse to U.S. foreign policy.” Critics say this is vague and could be used to silence political speech.
• Mandatory detention: The Laken Riley Act requires that undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of certain crimes be detained and removed.
• Self-deportation incentives: DHS is offering a $1,000 stipend to undocumented immigrants who leave the country voluntarily. However, accepting this offer triggers multi-year or permanent bars on reentry.
• Record detention numbers: ICE is detaining more people than ever before, with over 59,000 individuals in custody as of late June 2025. This is more than 40% above the agency’s funded capacity.

Key Stakeholders and Officials

• President Trump: Leading the renewed focus on immigration enforcement and the ideological deportation policy.
• Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: Announced strict enforcement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, including criminal penalties for failing to depart, register, or update addresses.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Named as a defendant in the AAUP lawsuit, responsible for the State Department’s role in visa revocations.
• Judge William G. Young: Presiding over the AAUP v. Rubio trial, challenging the government’s claims of privilege and pushing for more transparency.

Procedural and Legal Context

• The AAUP v. Rubio trial is testing whether the administration’s ideological deportation policy violates the First Amendment (free speech), the Fifth Amendment (due process), and the Administrative Procedure Act (which governs how federal agencies make rules).
• The government argues that its actions are legal and based on national security and foreign policy, not on punishing people for their political views.
• The trial has included testimony from senior DHS and State Department officials, but some cross-examination is on hold while the appeals court decides on document disclosure.

Practical Implications for Individuals

• Noncitizen students and faculty: If you have participated in protests or political speech, you are at higher risk of visa revocation, arrest, and expedited removal. You may have little or no chance to challenge these actions in court.
• Undocumented immigrants: If you have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years, you can be removed quickly unless you clearly state your fear of return or eligibility for asylum.
• People considering self-deportation: Accepting the $1,000 stipend may seem helpful, but it can result in being barred from returning to the United States 🇺🇸 for many years or even permanently. Always talk to a lawyer before making this decision.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

• Civil liberties and academic groups: Organizations like the AAUP argue that the administration’s policies are unconstitutional and chill free speech on campus.
• Government officials: DHS and State Department leaders say their actions are based on national security and foreign policy, not on political views.
• Legal experts: Many warn that the expansion of expedited removal and the use of ideological criteria for visa revocation raise serious concerns about due process and free speech rights.

Future Outlook and Pending Developments

• The outcome of the AAUP v. Rubio trial and related appeals will help decide how far the government can go in using immigration law to target people for their political views.
• Congress is considering new laws that could either expand or limit federal and state roles in immigration enforcement, with possible increases in funding for detention and border security.
• The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on the legality of expedited removal and third-country deportations, which could have a big impact on current enforcement practices.

Official Resources and Next Steps

• For the latest updates and official information, visit the Department of Homeland Security website.
• If you need to register or update your immigration status, use the USCIS registration portal.
• For legal updates on the AAUP case, check aaup.org.
• If you are facing enforcement actions, consult a qualified immigration attorney or advocacy group as soon as possible.

Actionable Takeaways

• Stay informed: Follow official sources and trusted news outlets for updates on policy changes and legal decisions.
• Know your rights: If you are at risk, learn about your rights and options, especially regarding expedited removal and visa revocation.
• Seek legal help: Do not face immigration enforcement actions alone—get advice from a qualified attorney.
• Be proactive: If you are undocumented and have been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years, be ready to assert your right to asylum or other protections if stopped by authorities.
• Think carefully before self-deporting: Understand the long-term consequences before accepting any incentives to leave the country.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mark one of the most significant shifts in immigration enforcement in recent years. The outcome of the AAUP trial and related court decisions will likely set important rules for how the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies handle immigration cases, especially those involving political speech. For now, affected individuals should stay alert, seek legal advice, and take steps to protect their rights.

Learn Today

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → US federal agency managing national security, including immigration enforcement and border protection.
Expedited Removal → A process allowing quick deportation of undocumented immigrants without court hearings unless asylum is requested.
Visa Revocation → Cancellation of a visa by government authorities, often restricting entry due to security or policy concerns.
AAUP v. Rubio Trial → A legal case challenging the DHS’s immigration enforcement shift and visa revocations based on political speech.
Laken Riley Act → A law mandating detention and removal of undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of certain crimes.

This Article in a Nutshell

Since January 2025, DHS prioritizes immigration enforcement, rapidly deporting noncitizens involved in political speech. The AAUP trial scrutinizes these policies amid record ICE detentions and expanded expedited removal, risking rights and due process for students, faculty, and undocumented immigrants nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com