Many immigrants in the U.S. are facing increasing anxiety about their future as former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on immigration gains momentum. Despite entering the country legally through the CBP One app, Hernandez, a Venezuelan immigrant, understands that her status offers no permanent guarantees. She and her husband recently appeared in a Chicago court to file for asylum, months after receiving work permits. However, the rhetoric surrounding Trump’s immigration policies, particularly those of former ICE director Thomas Homan, is unsettling.
“He should not go against good working people,” Hernandez said, expressing her concerns about the looming changes to the U.S. immigration system.
Homan, in an interview with CNN’s “Cuomo,” argued that the current asylum process is too lenient, allowing migrants to enter based on minimal evidence. His comments reflect a broader stance on immigration, including his statements in a “60 Minutes” interview about the potential for mass deportations without separating families. “That’s not a problem. Families can be deported together,” he remarked.
This rhetoric is particularly worrying for Leticia Alvarez, who fled Venezuela while pregnant and gave birth to a daughter in Chicago in March. Alvarez’s husband, Lisandro Escola, was detained for seven months in Texas after they crossed the border. Alvarez remains uncertain about why her husband was held but worries that under Trump’s plan, her family may be forced to leave the country.
The uncertainty is compounded by Trump and Homan’s focus on prioritizing deportations for convicted immigrants, which raises fears for families like Alvarez’s. “It’s something that worries me and that still worries me and my husband,” she said, speaking in Spanish. “And we’re all that he has.”
Political Leaders Respond to Immigrant Concerns
In response to Trump’s stance on immigration, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and leaders of other Democratic-led sanctuary cities have pledged to protect immigrant families from mass deportation efforts. In turn, Trump and Homan have threatened that sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement could lose federal funding.
Despite these threats, Hernandez remains resolute. She refuses to live in fear, saying she wants to set an example for her two young sons. “We are Venezuelans with a good heart and a faith that is greater than anything else,” Hernandez said. “If we are here, it is because God allowed us to be. We cannot wait, nor can we be rushed into something that has not happened yet.”
Support for Immigrants in Uncertain Times
Across the country, immigrant advocacy organizations are preparing for the challenges ahead. In Denver, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) is offering workshops to help immigrants navigate legal challenges, including understanding the difference between ICE agents and local police, and knowing their rights in court or during a potential deportation.
Marine Brichard, CIRC’s development director, said that Trump’s promises and the rhetoric surrounding his administration have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among immigrants. The group recently hosted a briefing for over 150 immigrants to discuss their concerns about the future under a potential second Trump presidency.
Lisa Koop, national director of legal services for the National Immigration Justice Center, stressed the importance of planning ahead. Her office has seen an increase in inquiries from immigrants in various stages of the asylum process. Many fear that protections granted to them may be stripped away under Trump’s administration.
“To me, it’s a great sadness that our country maybe no longer feels like a welcoming place of refuge,” Koop said.
Koop noted that the new administration could expedite deportations, starting with convicted immigrants and potentially expanding to others. While she believes there are cycles to enforcement, she does not think this guarantees safety for everyone else.
“There is a pretty broad fear and concern about what comes next,” Koop added.
As Trump’s political comeback gains momentum, immigrant families across the U.S. continue to brace for the uncertain future ahead.
Related topics:
- Immigrant Workforce in Construction Reaches Record High
- Maryland’s U Visa Act Supports Immigrant Victims of Violent Crimes
- Palestinian Canadians Decry ‘Betrayal’ Over Struggling Gaza Visa Program
