Trump Greenlights Some Pro-Immigrant Moves Amid Broader Anti-Migrant Crackdown

While President Donald Trump has taken a series of measures to restrict immigration into the U.S., particularly illegal immigration, he has also made a handful of less-scrutinized moves to help some immigrants on their way to becoming citizens.

Trump ran on a platform of securing the southern border, deporting illegal immigrants and also shutting down parole programs introduced by the Biden administration to allow migrants to enter the U.S.

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But he made an apparent exception to the refugee resettlement pause this month when he signed an executive order accusing the South African government of allowing attacks on white Afrikaner farmers.

That executive order, which cut assistance to the South African government, was accompanied by a move to offer Afrikaners refugee status.

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Trump’s administration also made a significant move affecting immigrants in the U.S. already, if they are applying for their green card.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a short announcement on Jan 22, announcing that it was waiving the requirements that those immigrants applying for an adjustment to permanent legal status present documentation showing they have had a COVID-19 vaccine.

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