The Trump administration has frequently referenced a 73-year-old legal statute to justify its immigration policies and enforcement actions. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, also known as the McCarran-Walter Act, serves as the foundation of modern U.S. immigration law, and has been amended numerous times since its passage under President Truman.

The act has been at the center of major immigration policies for decades, as it outlines the regulations for visa issuance, deportation, and national security-based immigration restrictions. It has been amended multiple times to address evolving political and social concerns, making it a cornerstone of U.S. immigration law.

Trump officials have cited the act in multiple instances:

• Arrest and Deportation of a Palestinian Activist: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt referenced the law when explaining the arrest and planned deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and green card holder who helped organize protests at Columbia University against the Israel-Hamas war. The administration claims that Section 237(a)(4)(C) allows the Secretary of State to revoke visas or green cards if an individual is deemed a threat to U.S. foreign policy and national security.
• Mandatory Registration for Undocumented Immigrants: In February 2024, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that all undocumented immigrants would be required to register with the federal government or face legal consequences under the provisions of the act.
• Presidential Orders and Travel Bans: The Trump White House has frequently cited Section 212(f), which gives the president authority to block the entry of any individual or group whose presence is considered “detrimental to the interests of the United States.” This was the legal basis for Trump’s Muslim-majority travel ban and for potential future restrictions.

The act has been used in various administrations:

• Clinton Administration: In 1995, Mexican Deputy Attorney General Mario Ruiz Massieu was arrested for trying to leave the U.S. with $26,000 in undeclared cash. Then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher used the act to justify his deportation, arguing that failure to do so would damage diplomatic relations with Mexico.
• Biden Administration: President Joe Biden has used the act’s humanitarian parole provision more than any previous president. This has allowed temporary entry for individuals fleeing Ukraine, Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela due to urgent humanitarian crises.

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 remains one of the most influential and frequently cited laws in U.S. immigration policy. While it was originally passed during the Cold War with a focus on ideological restrictions, it continues to serve as the legal foundation for modern immigration enforcement, presidential orders, and humanitarian efforts.

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