Key Takeaways
• Since January 2025, Trump administration suspended most asylum applications and ended TPS for many groups.
• 60% of Minnesotans oppose suspending asylum; rural areas largely support stricter immigration policies.
• ICE increased workplace raids; green card processing paused for refugees and asylees.
A new wave of immigration policies from the Trump administration is reshaping lives and sparking heated debate across Minnesota and the United States 🇺🇸. Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, his administration has moved quickly to roll back previous protections, tighten enforcement, and introduce sweeping changes to asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and DACA. These actions have divided public opinion, with strong opposition in urban centers like Minneapolis-St. Paul and broad support in rural and exurban parts of Minnesota. The effects are being felt by immigrants, families, employers, and entire communities, as legal battles and uncertainty continue.
Minnesotans Respond: Sharp Divisions Over Trump’s Immigration Policies
A recent Pew Research Center survey (June 2025) shows that most Minnesotans disapprove of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, especially in the Twin Cities and other urban areas. Statewide, 60% disapprove of suspending most asylum applications, and 59% oppose ending TPS for people fleeing war or disaster. However, outside the metro, support for these policies is much stronger. In rural and exurban Minnesota, many Republican-leaning voters back President Trump’s approach, believing it will improve security and save taxpayer money.
Key survey findings:
– 47% of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s immigration policies, while 42% approve.
– 78% of Republicans support the administration’s approach; 81% of Democrats oppose it.
– 57% of Republicans believe these policies will save money; 64% say they will strengthen the economy.
This split reflects a broader national divide, but it is especially visible in Minnesota, where urban and rural communities often have very different experiences with immigration.
What Has Changed: Major Policy Actions Since January 2025
Since taking office, the Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders and policy changes that have reshaped the immigration landscape. These include:
- Suspending most asylum applications: New rules block many people from seeking asylum at the southern border, especially those who enter without inspection.
- Ending TPS for many groups: TPS, which allows people from certain countries to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 due to war or disaster at home, is being phased out for most groups.
- Increasing workplace ICE raids: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up raids at businesses, targeting undocumented workers and employers who hire them.
- Pressuring local law enforcement: The administration is urging police and sheriffs to work more closely with federal immigration agents, especially in rural areas.
- Pausing green card processing for refugees and asylees: Many people who have already been granted protection are now stuck in legal limbo, unable to move forward with permanent residency.
Proposed changes still under consideration:
– Delaying work permits for asylum-seekers: New rules would make most asylum-seekers wait at least one year before they can apply for a work permit, up from the current six months.
– Creating an “Office of Remigration”: This new office would encourage and help immigrants return to their home countries voluntarily.
– Expanding the travel ban: A new ban could restrict entry from up to 43 countries, but the final list and start date are still pending.
How These Policies Affect Minnesotans
For Immigrants and Their Families
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have immediate and serious effects on immigrants in Minnesota:
- Increased risk of deportation: People who lose TPS or DACA protections may become undocumented overnight, making them targets for removal.
- Longer waits and fewer rights for asylum-seekers: Many asylum-seekers must now wait over a year before they can work legally, making it hard to support themselves and their families.
- Legal limbo for refugees and asylees: With green card processing paused, thousands are stuck without a clear path to permanent residency.
- Family separation: The dismantling of family reunification programs means some families may never be reunited.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes have left many immigrants feeling anxious and uncertain about their future. The risk of losing legal status or being separated from loved ones is a daily reality for thousands in Minnesota.
For Local Communities
The impact of these policies is not limited to immigrants. Communities across Minnesota are also feeling the effects:
- Rural and exurban areas: Many local sheriffs in these regions support working with ICE, believing it will improve safety. Some residents also think stricter enforcement will help the economy by reducing competition for jobs.
- Urban centers: City officials and police chiefs in Minneapolis-St. Paul strongly oppose federal enforcement efforts, arguing that they harm community trust and make it harder for immigrants to report crimes or seek help.
- Social services: Organizations that help immigrants, such as the Minnesota Department of Human Services and The Advocates for Human Rights, report increased demand for legal and humanitarian assistance.
For Employers
Businesses that rely on immigrant workers are facing new challenges:
- Increased compliance costs: The expansion of E-Verify, a system that checks workers’ immigration status, means more paperwork and risk of penalties for mistakes.
- Workforce disruptions: ICE raids and the loss of work permits for many immigrants are making it harder for employers to find and keep workers, especially in industries like agriculture, food processing, and health care.
Step-by-Step: What Happens Under the New Rules
Deportation and Enforcement
- Identification: ICE and local police identify people who may be in the country without legal status.
- Detention: Those found without valid documents or expired protections (like TPS or DACA) may be detained.
- Removal: Many are placed in expedited removal, a fast-track process that can lead to deportation without a court hearing.
Asylum and Work Permits
- Application: Asylum-seekers must file their applications soon after arriving.
- Waiting period: Under proposed rules, they must wait at least one year before applying for a work permit. Many will wait even longer due to processing delays.
- No work authorization: Without a work permit, asylum-seekers cannot work legally, making it difficult to survive.
TPS and DACA Recipients
- Loss of protection: If TPS or DACA is ended, recipients lose their right to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Risk of removal: Without another form of relief, they become subject to deportation.
For more details on current immigration forms and processes, visit the USCIS official website.
Perspectives from Stakeholders
Rural and Exurban Minnesotans
Many people in these areas support the Trump administration’s immigration policies. They believe stricter enforcement will improve safety, reduce competition for jobs, and save taxpayer money. Some local sheriffs have welcomed the chance to work more closely with ICE.
Urban Minnesotans
In cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, opposition is strong. Residents and officials worry about the humanitarian impact, the risk of family separation, and the loss of workers in key industries. Many see the policies as unfair and harmful to community trust.
Immigrant Advocacy Groups
Organizations such as The Advocates for Human Rights and the American Immigration Council are alarmed by the increase in deportations and the loss of protections for vulnerable groups. They warn that these policies could lead to more family separations and leave many people without legal options.
Employers
Business owners are concerned about losing workers and facing new compliance burdens. Industries that depend on immigrant labor, such as agriculture and health care, are especially worried about shortages and disruptions.
Law Enforcement
Police and sheriffs are divided. Rural sheriffs often support cooperation with federal authorities, while urban police chiefs resist, saying it makes their jobs harder and erodes trust with immigrant communities.
Legal Experts
Many legal experts, including the New York City Bar Association, warn that some of the Trump administration’s immigration policies may violate the Constitution or international law. Ongoing lawsuits are challenging rules on asylum, birthright citizenship, and other issues.
Civil Rights Groups
Groups like The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights highlight the disproportionate impact on communities of color. They also warn about the risk of wrongful arrests and removals due to mistakes in systems like E-Verify.
Economic Analysts
There is sharp disagreement about the economic effects. Some Republicans argue that the policies will save money and strengthen the economy. Many Democrats and economists warn of labor shortages and negative impacts on key industries.
Background: How We Got Here
- Trump’s First Term (2017–2021): Marked by travel bans, family separation, and increased enforcement.
- Biden Administration (2021–2025): Reversed many Trump-era policies, expanded protections, and focused on humanitarian relief.
- Trump’s Second Term (2025–present): Rapidly reversed Biden’s changes, reinstated and expanded enforcement, and introduced new restrictions on asylum, TPS, and DACA.
This back-and-forth has created confusion and uncertainty for immigrants and the communities that depend on them.
What’s Next: Legal Battles and Future Changes
Many of the Trump administration’s immigration policies are facing legal challenges. Courts may block or change some of the new rules, especially those related to asylum and birthright citizenship. The final list of countries affected by the new travel ban is expected soon, which could impact tens of thousands of people.
Project 2025, a plan to further restrict legal immigration and expand enforcement, is still being debated. If fully implemented, it could eliminate relief programs like TPS and DACA and make it much harder for people to immigrate legally.
Congress may also get involved, with possible fights over funding, enforcement priorities, and the future of programs like TPS and DACA.
Practical Guidance for Minnesotans
If you or someone you know is affected by these changes, here are some steps you can take:
- Stay informed: Check the USCIS website for the latest updates on immigration policies and forms.
- Seek legal help: Contact organizations like The Advocates for Human Rights in Minneapolis or the American Immigration Council for free or low-cost legal advice.
- Know your rights: Learn what to do if approached by ICE or local law enforcement. Many advocacy groups offer “Know Your Rights” workshops and materials.
- Connect with community resources: The Minnesota Department of Human Services offers support for refugees and immigrants.
Conclusion: Uncertainty and Division Remain
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have brought major changes to Minnesota and the United States 🇺🇸. While many in rural and exurban areas support the new approach, most Minnesotans—especially in urban centers—oppose it, citing humanitarian and economic concerns. Immigrants face greater risks of deportation, longer waits for legal status, and more barriers to work and family unity. Employers and communities are also feeling the strain.
With legal battles ongoing and more changes possible, the future of immigration in Minnesota remains uncertain. Staying informed, seeking legal help, and connecting with community resources are more important than ever for those affected by these policies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over immigration is far from settled, and its outcome will shape the lives of millions in Minnesota and across the country for years to come.
Learn Today
Asylum → Protection granted to foreigners fleeing persecution, allowing them to stay legally in the U.S.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A temporary immigration status for people from countries experiencing war or disaster.
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) → Policy protecting eligible immigrant youth from deportation and allowing work authorization.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process without a full court hearing for certain unauthorized immigrants.
E-Verify → An electronic system that employers use to confirm employees’ legal immigration status.
This Article in a Nutshell
Trump’s 2025 immigration policies reshape Minnesota, dividing rural and urban communities. Suspended asylum, ended TPS, and ICE raids create uncertainty. Employers face workforce disruptions, while legal battles continue, highlighting deep public divisions and challenges for immigrants, families, and local authorities across the state and country.
— By VisaVerge.com
