In 2024, Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election raised concerns among immigrant communities as his campaign focused heavily on immigration issues. Trump’s plans for immigration enforcement remain uncertain, with questions about how he would deport the estimated 11 million people in the country illegally. His proposed actions include invoking the Alien Enemies Act and deploying the National Guard, leading to fears and uncertainty among immigrants and their families.
Julie Moreno, a U.S. citizen married to a Mexican man who is in the country illegally, faces the possibility of being separated from her husband. The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s immigration policies has left her feeling scared for her husband’s safety. Other immigrants, such as Nicaraguan Elena, who has been living in the U.S. illegally for 25 years, are also anxious about the prospect of deportation and uprooting their lives. Advocates are closely monitoring potential deportation arrests and the adherence to policies protecting sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.
Experts predict that Trump’s initial immigration actions will focus on border security, potentially pressuring Mexico to block migrants and reinstating policies requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings. The Center for Immigration Studies supports a gradual approach to deportation, focusing on border security before addressing interior enforcement. Trump’s policies are expected to resume from his first term, reversing key Biden moves, including slashing refugee admissions and ending programs like DACA and Temporary Protected Status.
The impact of Trump’s immigration policies extends beyond individual families to broader communities and organizations. Advocates emphasize the need for vigilance in the face of potential immigration enforcement actions and changes to existing programs. Trump’s victory and immigration policies raise concerns about the future of immigrant communities in the United States and the challenges they may face under his administration. The uncertainty and fear surrounding Trump’s immigration plans highlight the importance of advocacy and support for vulnerable populations affected by these policies.
