An undocumented immigrant in Texas has expressed unwavering support for President-elect Donald Trump, even if it results in his deportation under the president’s tougher immigration policies.
Gelacio Velazquez, who immigrated from Mexico 25 years ago, told CNN that his backing of Trump is rooted in the president-elect’s economic plans. While he disagrees with Trump’s proposed mass deportations, Velazquez, a mechanic, maintains his stance. He has two children, both U.S. citizens, aged five and nine.
When asked by CNN’s Rosa Flores if he feared deportation, Velazquez said, “I’m not afraid.” Trump had promised during his campaign to enforce the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, targeting as many as 11 million undocumented immigrants, whom he referred to as criminals.
Immigrant advocacy groups have raised concerns that such a plan would not only affect individuals with criminal backgrounds but also those without legal status, potentially separating families, including children from their parents.
Velazquez rejected the anti-immigrant rhetoric often associated with Trump’s administration, calling mass deportations “not human.” However, he stated that if the policy impacts him, he would leave the country with his family. “I respect the decision,” he said. “I leave the country.”
Despite the controversial stance on immigration, Velazquez reiterated his support for Trump, particularly for the president-elect’s economic policies.
In a March interview, Velazquez criticized President Joe Biden’s treatment of immigrants, claiming that Biden had failed to deliver on his promises and worsened the country’s economic situation. He also expressed disappointment in the Democratic Party for not fulfilling their commitments to Hispanic communities, describing them as “kind nuns” who failed to act when in power.
Velazquez’s experience is not uncommon. The American Immigration Council estimates that at least 8.7 million U.S. citizens live with one or more undocumented family members, including 4.1 million children with at least one parent who lacks legal status.
Tom Homan, Trump’s newly appointed immigration czar, has pledged to enforce deportations and suggested that families could self-deport if they wished. Experts predict that immigration officials might use scare tactics to encourage migrants to leave voluntarily before any detentions are made.
In a shift from traditional voting patterns, many Latino men supported Trump in the recent election, a change attributed to the Democratic Party’s failure to address the concerns of Hispanic voters. This has led to calls for more outreach to this group in future elections.
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