Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Mass revocation and restoration of international student visas — The State Department revoked the legal status of more than 1,400 international students from 200 US colleges, citing pro-Palestinian views, minor offenses (such as speeding tickets), or no stated reason. Secretary of State Marco Rubio lambasted protesters as "lunatics." The administration later reversed course and restored statuses after multiple court challenges, but revealed it had scraped names from a national crime database including arrests without charges, dropped charges, and missing persons. New guidelines were issued that appear to expand ICE's power over students' immigration status. The legal uncertainty caused some students to flee the country voluntarily.

Supporting reports

• Sergei arrested during ICE office visit in San Francisco; Marina told to return — Sergei and Marina, a young couple from Russia with a pending asylum case, went to an immigration office in San Francisco in March to update paperwork. ICE agents arrested Sergei and instructed Marina to return in a few weeks. This case demonstrates the targeting of immigrants with pending asylum cases during routine administrative visits.

Supporting reports

• Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify deportations based on Venezuelan gang activity — In March 2025, the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—previously used only three times in U.S. history—to claim authority to deport citizens of nations engaged in invasion or "predatory incursion." Trump contended that Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua's activities constituted an invasion justifying mass deportations. Multiple federal judges rejected this claim, with New York federal judge Alvin Hellerstein ruling in June that refugee migration and gang infiltration do not meet the law's definition of invasion or predatory incursion.

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• ICE detains PhD student for op-ed criticizing university's Palestine response — In March 2025, Rümeysa Öztürk, a PhD student at Tufts University, was detained by ICE for writing an op-ed criticizing the university's response to the war in Palestine. Öztürk has since been released, but the detention represents targeting of an immigrant for published political speech.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration targets noncitizen academics for pro-Palestinian speech and activism — The Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security and directed by executive orders signed in January 2025, has arrested and deported or sought to deport noncitizen students and scholars for pro-Palestinian activism and speech. Targets include Mahmoud Khalil (Columbia University graduate) and Rümeysa Öztürk (Tufts University student). The administration relied on dossiers compiled by the rightwing Canary Mission and information from the far-right Zionist group Betar USA to identify targets. Federal judges have ordered the release of detainees, but the administration continues enforcement efforts.

Supporting reports

• DHS dismantles independent watchdog offices, citing obstruction of immigration enforcement — The Trump administration's DHS dismantled three independent watchdog offices—the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties office (CRCL), the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), and the CIS Ombudsman office—in March 2025. The agency stated the offices "obstructed immigration enforcement" and were being closed. All 147 full-time CRCL employees and 118 OIDO staff were ousted. This action became the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in April 2025 by civil rights organizations challenging it as violating separation of powers.
• Trump administration dismantles DHS civil rights watchdog offices, reducing oversight capacity by 97% — The Trump administration gutted three independent DHS watchdog offices tasked with investigating civil rights violations, detention conditions, and deaths in custody. Court records show the civil rights office received nearly 6,000 complaints from March to December 2025 but investigated only 183 (3%), compared to a historical 20% rate. Staff at the CRCL dropped from 147 to fewer than 40; the OIDO fell from 118 to 5 people. A lawsuit by civil rights groups challenges the action as violating separation of powers and constitutional norms.
• CRCL office staffing reduction and suppression of civil rights report — The Department of Homeland Security's Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which had approximately 150 employees, was reduced to only two full-time employees and around 20 outside contractors. A congressionally-mandated report documenting suspected civil rights violations by local police agencies in the 287(g) program—completed and cleared through multiple DHS components—was placed "into limbo" after Trump took office and has not been published. Former officials report the report identified jurisdictions, particularly in Florida, suspected of violating civil rights in 2023.
• Department of Homeland Security eliminates federal immigration detention oversight offices — In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security effectively eliminated its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. These offices were responsible for investigating complaints about immigration detention facilities and reporting conditions to Congress. The elimination removes federal watchdog capacity to monitor detention conditions as ICE custody reaches record levels and is projected to become the deadliest year for people in ICE custody.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security eliminates federal immigration detention oversight offices — In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security effectively eliminated its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. These offices were responsible for investigating complaints about immigration detention facilities and reporting conditions to Congress. The elimination removes federal watchdog capacity to monitor detention conditions as ICE custody reaches record levels and is projected to become the deadliest year for people in ICE custody.

Supporting reports

• Executive Order Designating English as Official Language — President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14224, designating English as the official language of the United States. This order revokes Executive Order 13166, which improved access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. The order aims to promote unity and streamline government operations by establishing a single official language, while allowing agencies to continue providing services in other languages as necessary.
• Trump designates English as the official U.S. language — President Donald Trump issued an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This order revokes Executive Order 13166, which aimed to improve access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. The new order emphasizes the importance of a unified national language for societal cohesion and civic engagement. It directs federal agencies to recognize English as the official language but does not mandate changes to services provided in other languages. The Attorney General is tasked with updating guidance consistent with this order.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order designating English as official language — The White House published a fact sheet on March 1, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump designating English as the official language of the United States. The order states it rescinds a Clinton-era mandate requiring federal agencies and funding recipients to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. The fact sheet claims the order allows agencies flexibility to continue offering services in other languages while encouraging immigrants to adopt English, and asserts the designation promotes national unity and government efficiency.
• White House signed executive order designating English as the official language of the United States — The White House signed an executive order on March 1, 2025, designating English as the official language of the United States. The order revokes Executive Order 13166 (2000), which required federal agencies to provide services and documents in languages other than English for persons with limited English proficiency. The order states that agency heads retain discretion over service provision and are not required to cease multilingual document production, but directs the Attorney General to rescind policy guidance issued under the prior order and provide updated guidance consistent with applicable law.
• Trump designates English as the official language — President Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States. This order rescinds a Clinton-era mandate requiring government agencies and federally funded organizations to provide language assistance to non-English speakers, potentially affecting access to services for non-English speaking communities.

Supporting reports

• Americans launch economic boycott against anti-DEI policies — On February 28, 2025, Americans across the country participated in a 24-hour economic boycott organized by the People’s Union USA. The boycott aimed to protest against corporations rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, influenced by government cuts under Donald Trump and Elon Musk's "department of government efficiency." Participants were encouraged to avoid spending money or to shop at local businesses using cash. The boycott was part of a broader movement to demonstrate consumer power and resist policies perceived as harmful to social equity.

Supporting reports

• Trump plans executive order to make English the US’s official language — Former President Donald Trump is planning to sign an executive order that would designate English as the official language of the United States. This order would rescind a mandate from former President Bill Clinton requiring federal agencies and recipients of federal funding to provide language assistance to non-English speakers. The order aims to promote unity and efficiency in government, while still allowing agencies to offer documents and services in other languages. This move is part of a series of nationalist executive orders by Trump.

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• Trump administration awards $1 billion, 15-year contract to Geo Group for Delaney Hall ICE detention — The Trump administration in February awarded a $1 billion, 15-year contract to private prison company Geo Group to operate the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in New Jersey. The facility, recently reopened, has a capacity of 1,000 detainees and is part of the administration's expansion of detention infrastructure to support mass deportation operations. The contract was awarded despite ongoing legal challenges to the facility's operation and a 2021 New Jersey state law barring immigration detention.

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• White House issues release attacking Michael Moore and defending deportations of immigrants with criminal records — The White House published a release titled "Illegal Immigrant Killers, Rapists Aren't Scholars — They're Criminals" on February 26, 2025. The release attacks filmmaker Michael Moore for suggesting that deporting undocumented immigrants might result in loss of potential scientific talent. It lists 13 named cases of immigrants charged or convicted of serious crimes (sexual offenses, assault, gang activity, terrorism suspicion, drug trafficking) and includes a statement from Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai defending "mass deporting illegal migrant rapists, murderers, and other criminals."

Supporting reports

• Judge blocks suspension of refugee admissions — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Trump's executive order suspending the country's refugee admissions system. This ruling protects the refugee admissions process and addresses concerns about immigration policy.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Pacito v. Trump (W.D. Wash.) 2:25-cv-00255 — Judge Jamal Whitehead, ruling from the bench, issued a preliminary injunction barring implementation of the executive order.

Supporting reports

• ICE deports Venezuelan teenager to El Salvador despite agents reportedly knowing he was not the intended target — Merwil Gutiérrez, 19, a Venezuelan asylum seeker living in the Bronx, was detained by ICE on 24 February alongside 237 other Venezuelans and subsequently deported to El Salvador's Cecot prison. According to his father, ICE agents stated at the time of arrest that Gutiérrez was not the person they intended to apprehend. Gutiérrez has no criminal record, gang ties, or connection to El Salvador. The deportation occurred under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of the Trump administration's broader removal campaign.

Supporting reports

• Case update — Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center v. Noem (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00418 — Plaintiffs filed a Reply explaining that in spite of the administration's Feb. 20 notice that all immigrant detainees had been transferred off Guantánamo and the TRO was moot, they had learned via social media that another group of immigrants was being sent to Guantánamo. The Reply adds further factual allegations and legal arguments that immigrant detainees are prevented from having real meaningful access to legal representation. These include that (1) the government and guards at the detention camp do not allow detainees to make phone calls, including by saying “this is a terrorist prison and there is no capacity to make calls” and by limiting available phones and times such that most people cannot use them; (2) unrepresented detainees transferred to Guantanamo do not have access to a legal directory, know your rights briefings, or practical means to meet counsel; and (3) retained counsel face numerous obstacles to representing their clients, including that only five detainees can make phone calls each day, there are no means for attorneys to initiate contact with their clients, and there is no way to transfer or sign paperwork other than the government's announced policy to “generally follow the procedures used in the habeas litigation involving law of war detainees,” and to transfer mail to detainees from Washington, D.C. on a weekly basis. Plaintiffs argue that these restrictions violate detainees' First and Fifth Amendment rights, as well as their statutory right to counsel under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as the plaintiff advocacy organizations' First Amendment rights.
• Case update — Storch et al. v. Hegseth et al. (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00415 — State Attorneys General of Florida and 19 states submitted an amicus brief in support of Defendants. The State of Tennessee also submitted an amicus brief in support of Defendants.
• Motion granted — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — The plaintiffs in Global Health Council v. Trump filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO.
• Motion granted — Global Health Council v. Trump (D.D.C.) ​​1:25-cv-00402 — Plaintiffs filed an emergency renewed motion to enforce the TRO. The court held a hearing the following day and, on Feb. 25, granted the motion for a proposed order requiring the Administration pay all invoices and letter of credit drawdown requests for work completed prior to the TRO, as well as reimbursements on grants and assistance agreements by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The court further mandated that the Administration take no actions to impede and must ensure the prompt payment of appropriated foreign assistance funds going forward. The court also reportedly ordered the government to provide the court, by Feb. 26 at noon, with all internal directives to agency employees concerning compliance with the TRO.
• Notice of appeal filed — Nat’l Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Ed. v. Trump (D. Md.) 1:25-cv-00333 — Defendants submitted a notice of appeal to the Fourth Circuit (Case No. 25-1189 ).
• Preliminary injunction ruling — American Federation of Teachers et al v. Bessent et al (D. Md.) 8:25-cv-00430 — The court granted a TRO enjoining the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management from disclosing sensitive information to any DOGE affiliates. The court denied the motion for a TRO against Treasury officials on the basis that a preliminary injunction against Treasury has already been granted in a related case.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — Doe v. McHenry (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00286 — Judge Lamberth issued an Order granting the request for an expanded preliminary injunction covering the additional plaintiffs.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — John and Jane Does 1-9 v. Department of Justice (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00325 — Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint , a motion for preliminary injunction , and a memorandum in support of the motion for preliminary injunction.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — New Mexico et al. v. Musk (D.D.C.) 1.25-cv-00429 — Plaintiff States filed a motion for expedited discovery relating to an upcoming motion for a preliminary injunction. Defendants filed a memorandum in opposition on Feb 28. Plaintiffs filed a reply on March 3. Plaintiffs' expedited discovery motion seeks “to confirm public reporting about Defendants' conduct, show Defendants' future plans, and illustrate the nature and scope of the unconstitutional and unlawful authority that Defendants are exercising and will continue to imminently exercise.” The document requests and interrogatories generally concern DOGE's and Musk's conduct in four areas: (1) eliminating or reducing the size of federal agencies; (2) terminating or placing federal employees on leave; (3) cancelling, freezing, or pausing federal contracts, grants, or other federal funding; and (4) obtaining access, using, or making changes to federal databases or data management systems.
• Preliminary injunction ruling — United States Conference of Catholic Bishops v. Department of State et al. (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00465 — Plaintiffs filed a supplemental memorandum in support of the motion for a preliminary injunction.
• Judge blocks ICE enforcement at houses of worship — A federal judge temporarily blocked ICE agents from conducting enforcement measures at some churches and other houses of worship. This decision protects religious sanctuaries and addresses concerns about immigration enforcement.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced plan to sell US citizenship — Former President Donald Trump announced a plan to sell US citizenship for $5 million through a "Trump Gold Card," which would provide green card privileges and a pathway to citizenship. This proposal has raised concerns about the commodification of citizenship and potential implications for immigration policy.
• Trump proposes $5 million "gold card" for citizenship — President Trump announced a proposal for a "gold card" costing $5 million that would provide a route to citizenship. This proposal raises concerns about the commodification of citizenship and potential favoritism towards wealthy individuals.

Supporting reports

• ICE directed to deport migrant children — The Trump administration directed ICE to deport hundreds of thousands of migrant children who entered the US without their parents. This directive raises significant human rights concerns and could impact the lives of vulnerable children.

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• Trump orders preparation of detention facility — President Trump has ordered the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to prepare a 30,000-bed detention facility at Guantanamo Bay for migrants he labeled as "the worst criminal illegal aliens." This directive reflects a shift towards using military facilities for immigration enforcement.
• Trump Orders Detention Facility for Migrants — On January 29, 2025, President Trump ordered the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to prepare a 30,000-bed detention facility at Guantanamo Bay for migrants he labeled as "the worst criminal illegal aliens." This directive indicates a shift towards using military facilities for immigration detention, rather than deportation, reflecting a punitive approach to immigration policy.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration cuts legal aid for immigrant children — The Trump administration cut off legal aid for unaccompanied immigrant children, a decision that was later reversed. This action temporarily left vulnerable children without necessary legal support in immigration proceedings, raising concerns about their rights and protections.

Supporting reports

• Senate passes budget for mass deportations — The U.S. Senate passed a budget resolution to fund President Trump's mass deportation plan, allocating $175 billion for border security and increasing the Pentagon budget by $150 billion. The resolution passed with a 52-48 vote, largely along party lines. This funding supports the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement agenda and reflects a significant allocation of federal resources towards deportation efforts.

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• White House issues release claiming border enforcement has reduced migrant arrivals and shelter demand — The White House published a release titled "When There Are No Illegal Immigrants, There Is No Need for Shelters" asserting that President Trump's border enforcement has reduced daily migrant encounters in the El Paso sector from 1,500 to roughly 80, and citing reports that migrant shelters across multiple states and Mexico have closed or reduced capacity due to decreased arrivals. The release attributes these changes to Trump's "unprecedented effort to secure the homeland."

Supporting reports

• Jorge arrested at ICE check-in in Portland despite asylum case pending — Jorge, a 22-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker, reported to the ICE field office in Portland, Oregon in February for a routine check-in while awaiting a court date on his asylum case. Instead of being released as had been standard practice, he was arrested and transferred to a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. Jorge had been complying with ICE requirements for two years, had enrolled in community college, worked as an advocate, and had no criminal record. A judge later denied his bond appeal, meaning he faces detention until at least September 2025.

Supporting reports

• White House issues promotional fact sheet claiming executive accomplishments in first month — The White House published a fact sheet titled "America Is Back — and President Trump Is Just Getting Started" on February 20, 2025, listing claimed accomplishments across border enforcement, economic policy, energy, military matters, and domestic governance. The document asserts that President Trump has "already accomplished more than most presidents do in their entire term" after one month in office. It attributes specific policy actions including border emergency declarations, tariff implementations, military deployments, regulatory rollbacks, and personnel changes across federal agencies.
• White House issues compilation release touting departmental accomplishments after one month — The White House published a compilation release on February 21, 2025, in which it aggregated statements from eight federal departments (Homeland Security, Interior, Education, Housing and Urban Development, State, Transportation, Defense, and Health and Human Services) describing their claimed accomplishments during President Trump's first month in office. The release does not announce new policy but curates existing departmental messaging around themes including border security, energy development, education policy, military readiness, and what the administration characterizes as reversals of prior policies.

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• Trump fired interim ICE Director Caleb Vitello — Former President Donald Trump has dismissed interim ICE Director Caleb Vitello due to dissatisfaction with deportation numbers. Despite the firing, Vitello will remain with the agency in a different capacity. This move reflects Trump's ongoing focus on immigration enforcement and deportation policies, which have been a significant aspect of his political agenda.
• Trump administration removes ICE chief — The Trump administration reassigned the top official at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to dissatisfaction with the agency's pace of arrests and deportations. This move reflects the administration's ongoing focus on immigration enforcement and its impatience with perceived inefficiencies in executing its policies. The reassignment is part of broader efforts to accelerate deportations and tighten immigration controls.
• Trump reassigns ICE chief Caleb Vitello — President Donald Trump has reassigned Caleb Vitello, the acting chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid dissatisfaction with the agency's deportation and arrest rates. Vitello, who was initially appointed by Trump in December, will now oversee all field and enforcement operations at ICE. This move follows the reassignment of other top ICE officials, Russell Hott and Peter Berg, due to similar frustrations from the administration. The White House is expected to announce a new acting director for ICE soon.

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• Trump ends federal benefits for undocumented immigrants — Trump signed an executive order aimed at ending federal benefits for people in the country illegally. The order did not make clear which benefits will be targeted but stated it will do away with all "taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens." The action is part of broader efforts on immigration to fulfill Trump's promise to remove millions of people from the country.