SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — As concerns grow among immigrants over President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to increase deportations, advocacy groups and legal experts are stepping up to reassure the community of their rights.
The fact that you enter without documents doesn’t suspend your constitutional rights,” said Ysabel Lonazco, an immigration attorney from West Valley City. “You have the right to an attorney. You have the right to remain silent. If you’re stopped, there must be reasonable cause.”
Some naturalized U.S. citizens are also worried about the possibility of denaturalization under Trump, Lonazco added. In response, she and other Utah immigration attorneys, in partnership with local advocacy groups, are organizing a series of “Know Your Rights” presentations aimed at educating immigrants about their legal protections, even if they are in the country without legal documentation.
“We want to prepare our clients and our community for what’s to come,” said Lonazco. “We want them to understand their rights and know what to do if they have an encounter with immigration authorities, including ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).”
Lonazco, along with Salt Lake City attorney Kendall Moriarty, is helping organize the events through the Utah chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
The “Know Your Rights” events will take place next Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m., in three Utah cities: Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden. Locations include the Mexican Civic Center in Salt Lake City (155 600 West), the Utah County Health and Justice Building in Provo (151 S. University Ave.), and the My Hometown Ogden Community Resource Center (555 24th St.).
Trump has made immigration a central issue of his administration, focusing on deporting individuals living in the U.S. illegally, particularly those involved in criminal activities such as gang membership and drug trafficking. He has also promised to strengthen border security to prevent illegal crossings from Mexico.
Moriarty said the community’s anxiety stems not only from Trump’s rhetoric but also from recent comments by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, who announced plans to support Trump’s deportation efforts, targeting immigrants who “pose a threat to public safety.”
“Trump campaigned on a platform of American nationalism, which has created an ‘us versus them’ mentality,” Moriarty said. “Gov. Cox’s announcement just before Thanksgiving added to the fear, making many believe they could be confronted by authorities as soon as Trump takes office.”
Both Lonazco and Moriarty noted that even some naturalized U.S. citizens are anxious about the possibility of losing their citizenship. The Trump administration had increased the number of denaturalization investigations during its first term, prompting concerns in immigrant communities. According to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, citizenship can be revoked if it was “illegally procured.”
The “Know Your Rights” events will feature presentations from immigration attorneys and allow attendees to ask questions. Three attorneys are expected at each event, along with representatives from immigrant advocacy organizations. Groups like Comunidades Unidas, the Family Justice Center, the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, and My Hometown Ogden are also supporting the initiative.
These events aim to empower immigrants with the knowledge they need to navigate any potential encounters with immigration authorities.
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