Donald Trump Returns with Absolute Power

By: Elián Zidán

Donald Trump is back in the White House, recharged and with overwhelming support both socially and institutionally.

The new administration promises radical change from day one. Immigration, public funds management, and current social policies are set to be completely overhauled.

With a solid majority in both the legislative and judicial branches, Trump and his cabinet are poised to govern with minimal obstacles. This dominance paves the way for sweeping actions, though the opposition has expressed serious concerns.

On immigration, immediate changes are expected. One of the centerpiece proposals is the “Laken Riley Act,” aimed at targeting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes on U.S. soil. Border czar Tom Homan has stated that raids will begin as early as Tuesday, initially focusing on individuals deemed threats to the country.

The reality is that the immigration system is in urgent need of reform. Shelters are overwhelmed, and sanctuary cities are struggling to handle the crisis. While the Biden administration tightened immigration policies in its final months, significant gaps remain in screening who enters the country and their backgrounds.

One glaring example is the Venezuelan criminal gang El Tren de Aragua, whose members have spread terror in at least 13 states, mirroring the chaos they’ve caused across Latin America. This has driven many voters—including Latinos—to back Trump’s return, sending a clear message to the outgoing administration, which departs with low approval ratings.

But how can such an ambitious plan be implemented without violating the human rights of thousands? In this “war,” as some have labeled it, there’s a real risk of punishing innocent people alongside the guilty. Many who entered irregularly are simply seeking a better future for their families, while others exploit the system to commit crimes and create insecurity.

Deporting millions through proper legal processes would take years. Some legal experts predict the new administration might invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, declaring certain migrants as “foreign enemies.”

Historically, this law was used during conflicts like the War of 1812 and World War I. It allows the President to arrest, relocate, or deport non-citizens from nations in conflict with the U.S. Though rarely discussed, this law remains in effect under Title 50 of the U.S. Code.

This approach contrasts with statements from Homan, who said families would not be separated but deported as a unit. However, what happens when one member of the household, like a child, is a U.S. citizen? How is that justified?

These uncertainties have left migrants on edge. Many families are already preparing contingency plans, including legal arrangements for their U.S.-born children in case of deportation.

Meanwhile, the administration is negotiating agreements with certain countries to accept deportees, particularly when bilateral agreements with their countries of origin are lacking. Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota and nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, has expressed her intent to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy and scrap the CBP One app, throwing thousands of migrants’ legal processes into question.

The country now faces a critical moment: How will Americans react to these sweeping social and political changes? Will this administration thrive or merely survive?

The first 100 days will be crucial in determining whether Trump can deliver on his promise to turn the nation around by 180 degrees—reviving the economy, enhancing security, and reforming immigration.

Time will tell. For now, the eyes of both Trump’s detractors and supporters—as well as the nation and the world—are firmly fixed on his every move.