THE US IMMIGRATION POLICY ON US-MEXICO BORDER AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMANITARIAN CRISIS DURING THE DONALD TRUMP ADMINISTRATION (2017-2020)

Abstract

This thesis assesses the United States’ foreign policy, especially regarding the immigration policy implemented at the US-Mexico border during the Donald Trump administration from January 2017 to December 2020. This thesis discusses three immigration policies implemented at the US-Mexico border, the Border Wall Policy, Zero Tolerance Policy, and the Migration Protection Protocol (MPP). Seeing the many efforts made by the US government through the three immigration policies, this thesis tries to examine the purpose of the US in creating these policies through foreign policy analysis. This thesis also discusses the humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border because in its implementation the policy impacts violence and discrimination experienced by immigrants. Therefore, this thesis is important for international actors and foreign policy observers to create foreign policies to achieve national interests without violating the human rights of immigrants from other countries. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach using data collection techniques through document studies. The document studies use secondary data obtained from official government websites, journals, news, and books, either online or offline. Judging from the three immigration policies, the government aims to reduce the number of immigrants who cross and are considered disturbing border security because it negatively impacts US society. During the implementation from 2017 to 2020, the policy caused immigrants to experience human rights violations such as dying in the forest, being separated from their families, living in inappropriate shelters, experiencing violence when sent back to Mexico, and various other inhumane treatments. This issue has become important because the policies made to achieve the national interest are to protect US citizens from the negative impacts of immigrants, but on the other hand, these policies violate the human rights of immigrants which are protected by the international community.