2024 U.S. Presidential Election: Implications for NJ Immigrant Populations

Trump's administration has a record of policy changes that have significant impacts on U.S and international populations. His administration is historically conservative, with restrictions more on social services than corporate tax cuts. There were policy changes that impacted on healthcare coverage for thousands of lawful immigrants and a disorganized, ineffective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that affected millions of people in the United States.

IMMIGRATION POLICY

The upcoming Trump Administration has voiced intention to revoke and reduce eligibility for immigrants living in the U.S with Temporary Protected Status, once again. Having previously ended the program in 2020 [for several countries, including Haiti], it is predicted that eligibility and restrictions will become more nuanced creating access to barriers in Trump's second term. If TPS ended or was not extended for certain countries, recipients would lose their ability to work legally in the U.S., placing them at risk of being deported back to hostile conditions in their home countries.

HEALTH POLICY

The Trump Administration is predicted to reduce funding for Community Health Centers, and introduce restrictions for eligibility and access to Medicaid and CHIP health programs. More specifically, the administration will again pursue a policy that will indicate Medicaid and CHIP benefits as "public charges", reducing coverage rates for many current recipients.

FOOD POLICY

Different levels of the food and farm industry will be affected in this new Trump era. Factors from the predicted mass deportation of essential farm workers to restriction to access food assistance programs, including SNAP and WIC. The administration will lead to less compliance with USDA food safety and anti-discrimination policies, higher costs on food prices, and removal of sustainable climate preservation strategies.