17.2 Domestic Policy: Tax Cuts and Immigration

The 2017 tax reform slashed rates across the board, aiming to boost economic growth. It reduced individual and corporate taxes, doubled the standard deduction, and expanded child tax credits. However, it also raised concerns about long-term effects on national debt and inequality.

Trump's immigration policies emphasized border security and enforcement. He implemented travel bans, rescinded DACA, reduced refugee admissions, and pushed for a border wall. These actions sparked legal challenges and debates over discrimination, effectiveness, and humanitarian concerns.

Tax Policy and Reform

Provisions of 2017 tax reform

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• Reduced individual income tax rates across all tax brackets with the top rate lowered from 39.6% to 37%
• Slashed corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% aimed to boost global competitiveness of U.S. businesses
• Doubled the standard deduction to $12,000 for individuals and$24,000 for married couples filing jointly simplifying tax filing for many
• Limited state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $10,000 impacting taxpayers in high-tax states (California, New York)
• Expanded child tax credit from $1,000 to$2,000 per child providing additional relief for families
• Doubled estate tax exemption to $11.2 million for individuals and$22.4 million for married couples reducing tax burden on wealthy estates
• Short-term boost to economic growth and consumer spending but raised concerns about long-term effects on national debt and income inequality

Immigration Policy and Controversies

Trump's immigration restrictions

• Emphasized border security and enforcement by increasing funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Implemented travel ban (Executive Order 13769) initially targeting seven predominantly Muslim countries, later revised to include North Korea and Venezuela
• Rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that protected undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children
• Reduced annual refugee admissions cap to historic low of 18,000 in FY 2020, lowest since Refugee Act of 1980
• Introduced public charge rule making it harder for immigrants using public benefits (Medicaid, food stamps) to obtain green cards or visas

Travel ban controversy

• Criticized as a "Muslim ban" due to targeting of predominantly Muslim countries raising concerns about religious discrimination
• Faced legal challenges from states and advocacy groups arguing the ban was discriminatory and unconstitutional
• Supreme Court ultimately upheld a revised version of the ban in Trump v. Hawaii (2018) ruling the President has broad authority over immigration and national security matters

Border wall debate

• Building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was a central campaign promise of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign to curb illegal immigration
• Symbolically represented a hardline stance on immigration appealing to supporters who prioritized border security
• Faced funding and construction challenges with difficulty securing Congressional appropriations and legal battles over use of emergency powers to divert funds
• Criticized for questionable effectiveness in deterring illegal immigration and concerns about environmental impact and property rights along the border