The first year of the second administration under United States President Donald Trump has been underscored by the anti-immigration policies he promised during his marathon election campaign. In 2025, news reports about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents showed an aggressive and heavy-handed approach to detaining undocumented foreigners. The masked ICE agents and their mass detention methods are only two aspects of the Trump anti-immigration agenda. The White House crackdown includes various measures to prevent immigration before it happens. Let’s review some of these roadblocks and how they make it difficult for foreigners trying to enter the U.S.
Strict Enforcement at the U.S. Southern Border
The partial militarization of the border with Mexico expanded in December 2025 with the formation of a task force to conduct enforcement and surveillance operations. The Homeland Defenders units combine federal agents and military personnel tasked with implementing the draconian measures enacted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For over a decade, the southern border has been the primary port of entry for asylum seekers. However, many foreigners have abandoned their asylum request plans because the DHS “zero-release” policy makes it virtually impossible to enter the U.S. Mass detention, expedited removal, and an indefinite pause on processing asylum applications are dissuading many foreigners from seeking a path to immigration.
The $100,000 H-1B Visa Entry Fee
Although the H-1B visa program falls under the non-immigrant category, it offers a path to immigration for skilled workers who maintain their admissibility over many years. In September 2025, Trump issued a proclamation increasing the H-1B fees paid by prospective employers. Previous fees that ranged between $2,000 and $5,000 skyrocketed to $100,000 for new visa petitions when obtaining the new visa at a U.S. Embassy. It’s important to note this proclamation is being implemented with various fee exemptions. Therefore, employers in Southern California should check with their San Diego immigration law firms before setting aside their petitions.
Blanket Entry Bans
Like the “Muslim bans” of the first Trump administration, the White House has continued issuing entry restrictions on foreigners from 39 nations. To this effect, the restrictions involve full and partial bans. For example, people from Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Iran, and Syria are deemed inadmissible before applying for any entry visas. The partial bans are mostly for specific non-immigrant visas like B-1 for tourism, B-2 for business, and J for exchange student programs. Some of the countries affected include Cuba, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Venezuela. Although the partial bans target non-immigrant visas, the proclamation has a chilling effect on admissibility and adjudication, thus impacting visas in the immigrant category.
Extreme Vetting and Expanded Reviewing
Under Executive Order 14161, one of the first Trump signed upon returning to the White House, the vetting of foreigners entering the U.S. has been expanded at ports of entry, consulates, and embassies. In December 2025, the Customs and Border Protection agency filed a proposed rule to require disclosure of social media profiles, ostensibly for national security purposes. If implemented in 2026, the requirement would expand to many USCIS forms, including I-485 requests for permanent residence status and green cards. The order also demands a comprehensive review of immigration benefits granted to foreigners from the countries mentioned above, retroactive to January 2021.
Navigating U.S. immigration laws can be challenging, especially in these uncertain times. At KS Visa Law, our experienced immigration attorneys are here to help you maintain your legal status and safeguard your future. Whether they need assistance with organizing documentation, renewing visas, or addressing concerns about interacting with law enforcement or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, San Diego residents and visitors can rely on us to provide personalized and reliable support. Contact KS Visa Law today to schedule a consultation and get the guidance you deserve.
