Evanston immigration lawyer Alen Takhsh, who fled the Iran-Iraq War as a teenager, is deeply worried about the impact of a potential second term for former President Donald Trump. If Trump had been in office when Takhsh was 13, he believes he might never have been able to escape the war’s aftermath and settle in the United States due to the “Muslim ban” imposed on nationals from certain countries, including Iran.
Now, three decades after his journey from Iran to Germany and ultimately to the U.S., Takhsh fears that Trump’s policies on immigration, asylum, and naturalization could make it more difficult for immigrants like him to build new lives in America.
During Trump’s first term, the administration implemented sweeping changes to immigration law, deporting 1.5 million immigrants, halting asylum applications, reducing refugee admissions, and enforcing strict border policies like “Remain in Mexico.” The Trump administration also sought to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and implemented travel bans affecting six Muslim-majority countries.
Takhsh, who primarily assists immigrants with legal status applications, asylum cases, and deportation defense, says these executive actions created significant barriers for legal professionals and immigrants alike. He described the aftermath as akin to “PTSD” for many working in immigration law. “When he left office, we felt as if we were suffering from PTSD,” he said.
With Trump seeking re-election in 2024, Takhsh fears a resurgence of policies that could further hinder immigrants’ ability to seek asylum or acquire U.S. citizenship. He’s particularly concerned about the potential impact on immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program designed to shield people from countries in crisis. Under Trump’s potential second term, Takhsh believes enforcement could increase, creating further anxiety for immigrants who rely on TPS protections.
Takhsh has already fielded numerous calls and emails from worried clients, but he feels more prepared to respond this time around. “The real fear is that a storm is brewing,” he said. “Unlike the first term under President Trump, we know what the storm may look like this time around.”
Immigrant Advocacy Groups Prepare for Fight
In response to the looming threat of stricter immigration enforcement, local advocacy groups are preparing to mobilize. Brandon Lee, communications director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), emphasized that the organization is ready to push back against any future efforts to heighten immigration enforcement.
Lee said ICIRR plans to advocate for state and local laws that protect immigrants’ data and ensure that local police will not collaborate with federal immigration authorities. The organization will also continue to offer “know your rights” training to educate immigrants about their legal rights when interacting with enforcement authorities.
In his re-election campaign, Trump has vowed to reinstate policies like the Muslim ban and the Remain in Mexico policy, as well as to end birthright citizenship and revoke TPS protections. He has also promised to deport up to 20 million undocumented immigrants — far exceeding the estimated 11 million undocumented people currently living in the U.S.
“Immigrant communities have been here before,” Lee said. “We’ve faced a Trump administration that sought to create fear. But we came together to protect each other, and we’re prepared to do that again.”
Local Communities Support Immigrants Amid Uncertainty
At the local level, Evanston officials have discussed using a vacant office building as a migrant shelter for new arrivals. However, the project has been delayed due to the building’s renovation needs. In addition to the shelter plan, thousands of migrants have arrived in Illinois after being bussed from Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. Many are being directed to intake zones in Chicago, where resources for new immigrants are available.
Illinois has earned a strong reputation for its support of immigrants. The state received a score of 4.3 out of 5 from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, ranking alongside Oregon as the most protective state for immigrants. Illinois’ TRUST Act limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, providing vital protections for immigrant communities.
Locally, organizations like Latinos en Evanston North Shore (LENS) are working to support immigrants. Fabiola Zdrubecky, vice president and co-founder of LENS, highlighted the emotional toll the election results have taken on the Latino community, with many fearing delays in their immigration processes and the uncertainty of Trump’s potential return to power.
Zdrubecky said LENS is enhancing its social programs to support the community, including offering resources for Latino seniors at their “Golden Years” event in December. The group is also planning an informational session on Dec. 17 to help immigrants understand their rights and prepare for possible changes under a second Trump presidency.
Despite the challenges, Zdrubecky remains optimistic about the community’s resilience. “I cannot envision making America great without Latino immigrants,” she said.
Takhsh shared similar sentiments, emphasizing that immigrants are fundamental to the nation’s identity. “The America that I know — the America that my father risked everything to bring us to — is a welcoming nation, regardless of the political rhetoric we are exposed to,” he said.
As the 2024 election looms, both legal experts and immigrant advocacy groups remain committed to fighting for the rights of immigrants and protecting the values that have long defined the U.S. as a land of opportunity.
Related topics:
- Trump’s Border Czar Tells Critics: ‘Legal Immigrants Are Completely Safe’
- How Trump’s New ‘Border Tsar’ Plans to Tackle Immigration
- Migrant Rights Advocates Sound the Alarm Over Trump’s Appointments
