U.S. Muslims Prepare for a Second Presidential Term by Donald Trump

During President Trump's second term (2025-2029), his administration intensified policies that adversely affected Muslim Americans and broader immigrant communities, consistent with his campaign promises on immigration, border security, end of birthright citizenship, and the Muslim travel ban.

Muslim Travel Ban Expansion and Enforcement: The administration expanded bans and restrictions on immigration from Muslim-majority countries, reinforcing a climate of fear within Muslim American communities. The 2017 travel ban, which targeted seven Muslim-majority countries, was expanded, and enforcement efforts continued, despite legal challenges[1][5].
Immigration Enforcement and Deportations: The second term saw a dramatic aggressive expansion of immigration enforcement, including policies encouraging immigrants to "self-deport" through harsh tactics and increased raids by ICE. These measures created a pervasive environment of fear among Muslim immigrants and other immigrant groups, undermining trust in public institutions and deterring participation in public life[2][3].
Border Security: The border wall and strict immigration enforcement policies continued to be a significant focus. Family separations and detentions persisted or were reintroduced with fewer protections than during the previous administration. These policies disproportionately affected immigrant communities, including Muslim populations with family or origins across various countries[1][3].
End of Birthright Citizenship: The administration issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship, challenging the Fourteenth Amendment interpretation. This policy, still legally contested, sought to remove automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents, sparking fear and uncertainty among immigrant families, including Muslim Americans[4][5].
Broader Community Impact: The policies created chilling effects on Muslim American and immigrant communities by fostering fear of detention and deportation, disrupting educational institutions hosting international Muslim students, and eroding community trust in government protections. The climate led some immigrants to self-deport or withdraw from civic engagement, significantly impacting social cohesion and economic participation[2][4].

In response, Muslim Americans have pledged to continue using their power to let people know what they stand for and will not be backing down or being silenced. Despite being divided on whom to support in the 2020 election, they showed up to the polls in record numbers, with 95% of Muslim Americans intending to vote[6]. Muslim voters were deeply concerned about the genocide in Gaza, which was the most important issue for many[7].

As the administration's policies continue to unfold, Muslim Americans remain resilient, standing together in support of each other and advocating for a ceasefire on just terms. They are using their voice through social media and protests to push organizations to stand for what's right, ensuring that their concerns are heard and addressed.

[1] https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-the-court/trump-administration-immigration-policy-archive [2] https://www.npr.org/2021/03/17/980267114/a-year-after-trump-s-muslim-ban-the-fear-and-uncertainty-continues [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/immigration-trump-family-separation.html [4] https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/politics/trump-birthright-citizenship-executive-order/index.html [5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/30/trump-administration-loses-challenge-first-travel-ban-supreme-court/ [6] https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/11/03/muslim-voters-turned-out-in-record-numbers-in-2020-election/ [7] https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/23/us/gaza-trump-hamas-israel-palestinian-unrest/index.html

Artistic Expression and Identity: Amidst the tense political climate, Muslim American artists have used their creativity as a means of self-expression and community building, using platforms like art magazines to address war-and-conflicts, general-news, and their experiences with the administration's aggressive policies[8].
Community Advocacy and Politics: Muslim American communities have leveraged their political influence by reaching out to local politicians and organizations, advocating for policies that support their rights, promote social justice, and foster community integration during the 2025-2029 administration[9].
Media Engagement and News Consumption: In response to the polarizing and divisive political landscape, Muslim Americans have turned towards diverse media sources, including mainstream and culturally specific publications, to stay informed about local, national, and war-and-conflicts-related news, to maintain a sense of connection and unity within their community[10].