President Donald Trump has instructed Border Patrol agents to stop issuing court dates and notices to appear (NTAs) to individuals detained for illegal entry into the United States.
The move marks a definitive end to the catch-and-release policies that were a hallmark of the Biden administration.
The president also issued a major clarification: illegal border crossers are to be referred to as “aliens” and not “migrants.”
This directive, announced on Monday night, represents a return to more stringent enforcement measures at the border.
According to NewsNation reporter Ali Bradley, the new guidelines emphasize halting the use of NTAs and reinstating prior pursuit and use-of-force policies.
“No alien will be released from custody on an NTA/OR or otherwise without approval from Deputy Chief,” Bradley reported, citing official instructions.
The policy also mandates a shift in terminology, instructing law enforcement to refer to individuals detained at the border using the legal term “alien” rather than terms such as “migrants” or “noncitizens.”
Resist the Mainstream reported Monday that as part of the administration’s overhaul of immigration policies, Trump has also terminated the use of the CBP One application.
The app, developed during the Biden administration, enabled individuals traveling to the U.S. to schedule asylum appointments at the border.
While initially introduced to streamline the asylum process, the application became a controversial tool that critics argue facilitated the release of individuals into the U.S. without thorough vetting.
The Post Millennial (TPM) highlighted that under Biden’s policies, those who secured appointments through the app were often granted NTAs.
These notices typically scheduled immigration court hearings, sometimes years into the future, allowing individuals to remain in the country during the interim.
Trump’s decision to end the app’s functionality signals a broader effort to deter unauthorized border crossings and tighten the asylum process.
The administration’s revamped approach is designed to dissuade large-scale migration to the southern border.
By eliminating NTAs and reinstating stricter enforcement protocols, the government aims to reduce the incentives that have historically driven mass migration.
These measures are expected to impact border security significantly.
TPM further noted that without NTAs, detained individuals will no longer be released pending future court dates, a practice that critics say has contributed to overcrowded immigration courts and allowed individuals to remain in the U.S. indefinitely.
The halt in catch-and-release practices represents a sharp departure from Biden-era policies, which were often criticized by Trump and other conservatives for being too lenient. C
Critics of the previous administration’s approach argue that it created loopholes that encouraged unauthorized border crossings.
Supporters of the new measures believe they will restore order and strengthen the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
Resist the Mainstream noted earlier this week that the U.S. Senate passed the Laken Riley Act on Monday with a 64-35 vote.
The bill, introduced by Republican Alabama Senator Katie Britt, aims to tighten immigration enforcement by mandating the detention of illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes and allowing states to sue the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for harm caused by illegal immigration.
The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for final approval of Senate amendments before reaching the president’s desk for a signature.
