Trump administration expands immigration crackdown with registry, deportation plans

• Rare bipartisan collaboration: Arizona’s Democratic governor partners with Trump administration on border security

ISTANBUL

The Trump administration is ramping up its immigration enforcement efforts, threatening criminal penalties for undocumented immigrants who fail to join a new federal registry and planning for the possible deportation of unaccompanied migrant children.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has signed an executive order aligning her state’s law enforcement agencies with federal immigration authorities, marking a rare collaboration between Trump’s Republican Party and Democrats on border security.

Federal registry requirement and deportation plans

Undocumented immigrants over the age of 13 who have not submitted fingerprints or registered with the government could face jail time and fines, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday.

The policy specifically targets those who have been in the US for more than 30 days without providing fingerprints or submitting immigration applications. This includes individuals who entered the country without undergoing formal inspection or admission by immigration authorities.

The administration intends to use a World War II-era law that originally created an immigration registry to track suspected communists.

"President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noem have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now," said department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin. "If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream."

Under the new policy, those who register will receive a document they "must carry and keep in their possession at all times." The measure does not apply to legal permanent residents, immigrants granted work permits, or those in immigration court proceedings. The Trump administration has touted the registry as a means of encouraging voluntary self-deportation.

NBC News also reported that the administration is preparing an operation aimed at locating and potentially deporting unaccompanied migrant children. The specifics of the plan have not been publicly disclosed, but sources indicate the department is working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify minors who entered the country without legal guardians.

Controversial bipartisanship

In a break with the practices of other Democratic governors, Arizona’s Katie Hobbs signed an executive order Tuesday directing state and local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in combating border-related crimes, including drug and human trafficking. Numerous Democratic-controlled states and cities have spurned any cooperation with Trump’s immigrant crackdown.

"I’m proud to launch Operation Desert Guardian to combat the cartels, stop drug smuggling and human trafficking, and secure Arizona’s border," said Hobbs. "My administration has been in contact with the federal government and local sheriffs about the operation, its critical objectives, and our shared commitment to keeping criminals and drugs out of Arizona’s communities."

The initiative mandates increased coordination between state law enforcement and Customs and Border Protection in four Arizona border counties. Hobbs’ move comes as Arizona remains a key presidential battleground state, sometimes switching from handing victory to Republicans or Democrats by thin margins in successive elections.

Political reaction

Kris Mayes, the Democratic attorney general for Arizona, expressed support for the governor’s decision, calling for a unified effort against transnational criminal organizations.

"I welcome the additional support announced by Governor Hobbs that will bolster my office’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organizations," Mayes said. "Fighting the drug cartels requires an all-hands-on-deck approach – and we will continue working with our partners to take down these dangerous networks and protect Arizonans."

But Hobbs’ order has drawn mixed reactions within her party, with other Democratic governors resisting Trump’s broader immigration policies. Meanwhile, the Arizona legislature is considering the Arizona ICE Act, which would require 10% of all local and state law enforcement officers to be deputized by ICE – though Hobbs is not expected to give the law her approval.

As Trump moves forward with his crackdown on irregular immigrants and immigration, his administration’s alliance with a key Democratic governor signals a potential shift in the political landscape on border security. However, with legal challenges and public opposition mounting, the full impact of these measures remains uncertain.