Trump targeting immigrants from countries hit most by climate shocks
Climate Vulnerability and Immigration Policies
Trump targeting immigrants from countries hit most – A Guardian analysis reveals that the Trump administration’s immigration policies are disproportionately affecting nations most susceptible to climate-induced displacement. As the administration advances measures that prioritize fossil fuel consumption, millions are fleeing their homelands due to increasingly severe storms, floods, and droughts exacerbated by global warming. Of the 39 countries subject to full or partial entry restrictions into the US, 22 are ranked within the top 25% most vulnerable to climate impacts, according to data from the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative, which evaluates the susceptibility of regions to environmental challenges.
Donald Trump has consistently argued that limiting immigration will bolster national security by preventing radical Islamic terrorists from entering the country. However, this approach has inadvertently targeted populations from regions already grappling with the most dire consequences of climate change. Immigrants from Chad and Niger, the two most climate-vulnerable nations globally, are now fully barred from the US. Similarly, individuals from Sudan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, all ranked among the 10 countries most exposed to climate impacts, face stringent restrictions.
Stories from the Climate Frontlines
When Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras in 1998, a family’s home was reduced to rubble, leaving them with a clear path to relocation. Evelyn, a teenager at the time, recalls how her relatives in New York City urged her mother to bring her and her sister to the US. “There were bodies and dead animals floating in the water, the house was messed up, the furniture was all gone – doors, windows gone. It was so, so sad,” Evelyn said. “I got sick because of the mosquitoes too. My uncle and aunt were just like: ‘OK, just bring the kids over here, don’t stay. It’s dangerous.’”
“Every day it’s more barriers,” Evelyn added, noting that she still lives in New York and has two daughters studying at university. “It’s sad to know that people will not be able to apply for a status or something to help their situation and also help the people back home.”
Today, the climate crisis has intensified, making disasters like Mitch even more destructive. Rising temperatures and ocean levels have accelerated the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes. Yet, the Trump administration’s policies have made it increasingly difficult for individuals like Evelyn to seek refuge in the US. This shift has created a stark disconnect between the causes of displacement and the availability of protection.
Termination of Temporary Protected Status
The administration has also sought to terminate the temporary protected status (TPS) of residents from Honduras and 12 other countries. Nearly half of these nations, according to the Notre Dame rankings, are among the most climate-vulnerable globally. The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing an appeal regarding the revocation of TPS for citizens of Syria and Haiti, both of which have experienced recent droughts and hurricanes, respectively, alongside political instability.
Environmental perils in these countries have historically been cited as justification for granting TPS, allowing individuals to remain in the US temporarily. However, the current administration has expanded its focus to include broader entry bans, framing climate displacement as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one. “This will keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country and resolve deficiencies in vetting people,” Trump stated in a recent address.
Global Climate Displacement Crisis
Climate change has become a driving force behind mass migration, with the United Nations estimating that severe heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods have displaced 250 million people worldwide over the past decade. This translates to approximately 70,000 displacements each day, highlighting the scale of the crisis. While many migrations occur internally, recent data shows that nearly 30 million people were forced to relocate within their own countries in 2025 due to disasters.
Wildfires, such as those that consumed parts of Los Angeles last year, have emerged as a significant contributor to displacement. However, experts agree that the number of individuals classified as “climate refugees” is growing rapidly. These people are fleeing their homes as the planet continues to overheat, yet there are no official pathways for them to seek protection under US law or the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention. The current system does not recognize environmental disasters as a valid reason for asylum, leaving many without clear options.
The Path Forward
As the climate crisis deepens, the urgency for inclusive immigration policies has never been greater. The Trump administration’s focus on climate-vulnerable nations raises critical questions about the intersection of environmental justice and border control. While the analysis underscores the disproportionate impact of these policies, it also highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing displacement.
Experts warn that without immediate reforms, the global climate displacement crisis will continue to strain international systems. “People are being displaced by climate change, and the number is growing,” said one analyst, emphasizing that the current framework fails to account for the escalating role of environmental factors in migration. The administration’s actions, while framed as security measures, have created additional hurdles for those seeking refuge in the US. As the world grapples with rising temperatures, the challenge becomes not only to protect borders but also to open them to those most in need of escape.
