The NPR Politics Podcast Year In Review: Trump's Immigration Policy
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Dec 29, 2025 The discussion delves into Trump's transformative immigration policy, highlighting a significant rise in deportations compared to his first term. The hosts explore the stark realities on the ground with militarized raids and alarming due process issues. Quiet policy shifts, including visa hiked fees and cuts to refugees, reveal a tougher approach. They also analyze the political strategy behind prioritizing immigration as a focus for the White House and Congress's limited role in reforming policies. Public opinion surveys show striking contradictions, revealing how enforcement visibility shapes perceptions.
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Deportation Scale Is Big But Short Of Promise
- The administration deported about 605,000 people in its first year, well under the campaign promise of one million a year.
- That total still approaches half of the 1.5 million deported during Trump's first term, showing significant enforcement activity.
Public Raids Paired With Quiet Legal Restrictions
- The administration mixes highly publicized, militarized enforcement with quieter policy changes that cut legal pathways.
- That combination includes visible raids and court clashes plus suspension of refugee and asylum options.
Behind-The-Scenes Rules Shape Immigration Flow
- Many policy moves occur outside public view, like raising H-1B fees and revoking visas across categories.
- These behind-the-scenes actions significantly reduce legal immigration even if they attract less media attention.