Just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump jumped into action, signing several executive orders aimed at addressing the ongoing illegal immigration crisis. These orders, signed at the Capitol One Center and later in the Oval Office, focus on tightening border security, combating drug cartels, and enhancing immigration enforcement.
One standout order reclassifies foreign drug cartels as terrorist organizations. This change empowers federal prosecutors with wider-reaching authority under U.S. law, allowing them to target cartel members and their associates across borders.
Under this new label, anyone providing “material support” to cartels—including smugglers, lookouts, and even drug clients—can face mandatory prison sentences ranging from 10 to 80 years. They could also be hit with fines up to $125,000 and see their assets seized.
🚨 #BREAKING: President Trump has just signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
They can now be targeted with LETHAL FORCE by the U.S. military.
This is HUGE. pic.twitter.com/WAf7HhKVAY
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 21, 2025
This new designation isn’t just legal jargon; it has real implications for immigration enforcement. Migrants paying cartels for smuggling services may now be considered as supporting a terrorist organization, which could lead to their immediate deportation under U.S. immigration law.
The America First Policy Institute highlights that this shift also puts political pressure on Mexico to tackle cartel activities more aggressively.
“The Mexican government, with its deep and ongoing ties to the cartels, explicitly opposes an FTO designation. The consequences of an FTO designation could expose these connections,” the institute noted.
When questioned about deploying U.S. Special Forces against the cartels, Trump left the door open, stating, “Could happen. Stranger things have happened,” while signing the order. He also declared a national emergency over what he described as a crisis along the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada.
This declaration allows the administration to reroute federal funds to bolster border security and restart construction on the border wall—a project paused under former President Joe Biden.
Under the National Emergencies Act, Trump now has access to 100 statutory authorities to deal with the crisis, including deploying military and National Guard personnel to assist with border enforcement.
While details on troop deployment remain uncertain, Trump has consistently advocated for using the military to secure borders rather than engaging in overseas conflicts.
The national emergency declaration enables swift action without waiting on Congress, although Congress can override it with a veto-proof majority. Presidents can also renew such emergencies indefinitely unless Congress successfully acts against it.
Besides tackling cartels and border security, Trump reinstated several of his first-term immigration policies. The “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases are processed, is back.
Additionally, the Title 42 policy, allowing border officials to deny entry based on public health concerns, will return, giving agents more tools to prevent illegal crossings.
Through these executive orders, President Trump is quickly advancing his agenda, underscoring his commitment to tackling illegal immigration and securing the nation’s borders.
These measures signal a return to the hardline immigration policies that characterized his first term, now with a heightened focus on combating cartels and reinforcing national security.
As these policies unfold, their long-term impact on immigration, border security, and U.S.-Mexico relations remains to be seen. However, Trump’s swift actions highlight his determination to prioritize border enforcement during his second term.