On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed a major immigration law that will have far-reaching effects on immigrants, families, and communities across the United States. This massive USA Immigration Law changes allocates $170 billion to immigration and enforcement. In this article, we review the main developments and their legal consequences.
By James Martin, Sarasota Immigration Attorney
$170 Billion for Immigration Enforcement
The law provides unprecedented funding for immigration enforcement:
- $46.5 billion for the border wall
- $45 billion to add 100,000 new detention beds for immigrants
- Additional billions for immigration judges, ICE personnel, and enforcement technology
This expansion effort will make immigration and enforcement one of the best-funded law enforcement agencies in the country. In practical terms, ICE will be present in every major U.S. city within 6 to 12 months and will be visible on the streets.
The government is offering $50,000 hiring bonuses to attract personnel with law enforcement backgrounds. To achieve this, it is recruiting from local sheriff and police departments. Local officials have raised concerns that the federal government is effectively poaching their employees, potentially undermining general public safety.
Birthright Citizenship Under Executive Order
On January 25, 2025, President Trump attempted to eliminate birthright citizenship through an executive order. For over a century, it has been understood that a person born in the United States, and subject to its jurisdiction, is a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The only exception applies to the children of foreign diplomats who benefit from diplomatic immunity.
The executive order declared that children born to undocumented immigrants would no longer be U.S. citizens. This measure sought to end so-called “chain migration,” where a U.S. citizen child may later petition for their parents to obtain lawful permanent residence.
Litigation followed immediately. In early 2025, the Supreme Court declined to rule directly on the constitutional issue, instead addressing a technical question about nationwide injunctions. Nevertheless, several class actions have been filed, and for now, birthright citizenship remains intact.
The legal precedent is strong: individuals born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Any departure from this principle would be revolutionary and dangerous, leaving many people effectively stateless and subject to possible removal.
Detention Without Bond
A recent Board of Immigration Appeals decision has changed the landscape for immigrants who entered the United States unlawfully. In the past, undocumented immigrants detained by ICE could request release on bond while their case was pending.
Now, the government argues that individuals who entered illegally must be detained without the possibility of bond. This policy is being litigated in immigration courts and will likely reach higher courts.
If upheld, this measure would force people to fight their cases from detention, a strategy that increases deportations because many choose to leave rather than remain detained for months. The administration has made clear that detention is its preferred approach.
Proposed $15,000 Entry Bond for Tourists
The Trump administration has also proposed requiring certain tourists to post a $15,000 entry bond when entering the United States. This amount would be refundable only if the visitor leaves on time and complies with the terms of admission.
Such a requirement would represent a significant shift in the way lawful entry into the United States is handled.
Conclusion
Immigration law in the United States is undergoing rapid and historic changes. With billions allocated to enforcement, challenges to birthright citizenship, and restrictions on bond and release, the landscape is evolving day by day.
At this stage, injunctions protect birthright citizenship, but the future remains uncertain. Detention policies and proposed entry bonds raise additional concerns for immigrants and their families.
⚖️ As an immigration attorney, I will continue to monitor these developments and provide legal analysis. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your case, contact my office for a consultation.