Former President Trump has made no secret of his plans to unleash historic events. cruelty and chaos about immigrant families throughout the United States.
As the moves to secure Republican nomination before any court case can stop it, mixed immigration status communities should prepare for the worst. Trump’s team has promised that if he wins a second term in November, he will launch the largest deportation operation ever and build mass detention camps for immigrants.
opinion columnist
Juan Guerrero
Jean Guerrero is the author, most recently, of “Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda.”
I wouldn’t spare long-time residents with clean criminal records, parents of U.S. citizen children, taxpayers, or even green card holders. And the punish Americans whose jurisdictions offer sanctuary. Their goal is not to enforce laws; is for purge the nation of races that, according to him, are “poisoning the blood of our country.”
Immigrants and their allies have a choice: ignore Trump’s threats or work to prevent and prepare for them. I spoke to immigrant rights activists to ask for their recommendations. Here are a set of tactics that could make a difference.
Call Congress now:
everyone should be vocation his members of Congress and demanding legislation to protect law-abiding people in this country. This would greatly limit the damage Trump could inflict if he were re-elected. For example, him “Renewal of the immigration provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929”would update an existing statute to make millions of long-time residents eligible for green cards.
There’s also bills to protect smaller groups that may have a better chance of passing because they have bipartisan support, including the dream law for those who came here as children and the United American Families Act for undocumented spouses of US citizens. Those bills also need strong advocacy.
Get involved with your local immigrant rights organization:
It is crucial for undocumented people to connect with immigrant rights groups. Don’t remain isolated and invisible, says Angélica Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
These organizations can provide support networks and connect immigrants with free legal consultations to see if they qualify for existing protections, such as that of the Biden administration. delayed action for people who suffer violations of their labor rights. “Part of what [Trump] What we want is for our immigrant community to be unknown, invisible and lacking any protection,” Salas told me. “But we can create spaces where they are seen, respected and supported.”
Apply for citizenship or help others do so:
Millions of people with green cards who are eligible for citizenship I have not applied for the privilege. Given Trump’s desire to deport green card holders, it is important that they apply for citizenship before it is too late. By becoming citizens, they could also help their undocumented family members adjust their status.
People close to permanent residents who have not applied for citizenship can help them navigate the process. The National Association for New Americans has useful resources. and anyone can volunteer with a naturalization campaign.
Register to vote or join registration drives:
A Suffolk University/USA Today poll released January 1 shows Trump beating Biden by 5 points among Hispanic voters and by 4 points among voters under 35. It is imperative that young people and Latinos register to vote as soon as possible to reverse this disturbing trend.
Most of us know young people who don’t want to vote because they are disillusioned with politics. We can empathize with their desperation while helping them understand that they can make an impact. Join voter registration drives. Knock on doors, make calls and send text messages. Talk to people.
Tell your story:
If you are undocumented, consider sharing your story, said Gaby Pacheco, an immigration activist who came to the United States from Ecuador as a child and grew up in Miami. “No one can tell your story like you,” she told me.
Pacheco knows it is risky. Immigration Law Enforcement arrested his family in 2006, at the height of her early activism on behalf of Dreamers like her. But as many knew her story, her community rallied in support of her and secured her release.
Among the reasons for anti-immigrant hostility are ignorance and imposed silence of the voices of the undocumented. The immigrant rights movement cannot succeed without brave people who decide to make their situation public.
Create a contingency plan:
Mixed-status families should create a plan in case they are raided or detained for deportation. It is best to make difficult decisions about who can help with child care and asset management before a crisis occurs. Reaching financial or family agreements afterwards is extremely difficult. Undocumented parents often hide their status from their children to protect them or out of shame, but it’s important to have frank family conversations and plan for worst-case scenarios together.
Immigrant rights organizations can help immigrants create plans tailored to the needs of each family and manage procedures such as granting Legal power.
Don’t forget about local politics:
Immigration is a federal issue, but there are important steps state and local officials can take to protect mixed-status families.
“City council members sometimes say, ‘Oh, that’s a federal issue, it doesn’t concern me,’” says Pedro Ríos, immigration rights leader for the American Friends Service Committee. “He does it. It affects his constituents.”
state and local initiatives can have great effects on the lives of immigrants. In California, we can pressure Governor Gavin Newsom to end double punishment for immigrants in the state. Social media posts are no substitute for grassroots organizing, so attend local government meetings. Join the protests. Build collective power.
As Andrea Guerrero, executive director of Alliance San Diego, says, “Don’t wait for someone to show up.” We can all take steps to avoid the worst of Trump’s plans and be prepared to deal with it.
