Gabriela, a Bolivian national, arrived in the United States more than two decades ago, hiding under a heap of corn stalks in the trunk of a smuggler’s car. Today, she works as a housekeeper in Maryland, part of the country’s estimated 13 million undocumented immigrants. This broad group includes those who entered the country illegally, overstayed their visas, or hold protected status to avoid deportation.
With the incoming Trump administration’s pledge to carry out mass deportations, many immigrants like Gabriela are left wondering what the future holds. Discussions on the potential impact of these policies have become a major topic in immigrant communities, circulating through WhatsApp groups and social media.
For some, like Gabriela, the threat doesn’t feel personal. “I’m not scared at all,” she said confidently. “That’s for criminals to worry about. I pay taxes, and I work.” She added, “I’m undocumented, so how would they even know about me?”
During his election campaign, Trump frequently promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, starting from his first day back in office. However, nearly two weeks after his decisive election win, the specifics of how these mass deportation operations will unfold remain unclear.
Trump has insisted that cost will not be a barrier to his immigration plans, but experts warn that the execution of such extensive deportations could face significant financial and logistical hurdles. Tom Homan, Trump’s newly appointed “border tsar” and former acting director of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has stated that migrants deemed a threat to national security or public safety would be prioritized. He has also suggested the return of workplace raids, a strategy that was largely abandoned under the Biden administration.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Homan pushed back against the portrayal of law enforcement as the “bad guys,” arguing that it was misguided to view those who break the law as victims. For many undocumented immigrants, the uncertainty of what’s to come has cast a shadow over their daily lives, as the reality of mass deportations continues to take shape.
Promises of mass deportations formed a key part of Donald Trump’s 2024 electoral campaign – and featured heaving at the Republican National Convention in July
As President-elect Donald Trump’s administration prepares to implement its mass deportation plans, undocumented migrants in the US are facing mounting anxiety about their futures. Trump’s stance on immigration, which has been a cornerstone of his campaign, promises aggressive enforcement actions, leaving many, including Gabriela, a Bolivian housekeeper in Maryland, uncertain about what lies ahead.
Gabriela, who entered the country illegally over 20 years ago, remains unshaken. “I’m not scared at all,” she said. “That’s for criminals to worry about. I pay taxes, and I work.” Despite her optimism, many of her peers are engaged in deep discussions about the implications of the Trump administration’s vow to prioritize deportations of undocumented individuals.
Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed “border tsar” and former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), defended the deportation plans, stressing that those posing national security or public safety risks would be targeted. Homan also suggested the return of workplace raids, a policy halted under the Biden administration, and made clear that deporting “public safety threats” is a priority. “What member of Congress, what governor, or what mayor is against taking public safety threats out of their community?” he asked, referencing the enforcement measures.
While the deportation of migrants is not a new phenomenon, with over 1.5 million deportations under President Joe Biden, Trump’s approach would expand these efforts, targeting migrants far from the border. Reports indicate the use of the National Guard and military aircraft for detaining and deporting individuals is under consideration. Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has suggested that deportations could begin with a target of one million people.
Yet, some undocumented immigrants remain cautiously hopeful, particularly those from Latino communities. Carlos, a Mexican immigrant living in New York, believes that Trump’s policies could benefit the economy and, by extension, their livelihoods. “A lot of Latinos, those who can vote, did so because they think he [Trump] can improve the economy. That would be very good for us too,” Carlos explained. He also mentioned the security of his son, a US citizen, and the notion that focusing on working hard and staying out of trouble could minimize his risk.
However, Carlos’s optimism contrasts sharply with the fears of others. Eric Bautista, a 29-year-old “Dreamer” living in California, is deeply concerned about the future. As a beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Bautista is protected from deportation. But with a Trump presidency looming, his sense of security is frail. “It feels like we’re at a turning point, a new wave of nativism,” Bautista said, reflecting on the fear that now pervades immigrant communities. “It’s just a future of fear and uncertainty for us.”
The fear of deportation is not limited to those with criminal records. Immigration advocates and legal experts warn that even individuals without criminal histories may be swept up in broader enforcement efforts. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, anticipates an increase in “collateral arrests” – where individuals not targeted for deportation are detained during raids aimed at others. He cited the example of a person with a criminal record living in a house with other undocumented individuals, noting that they could all be arrested in the process, regardless of their own status.
This concern was echoed by Tom Homan, who, when asked by CBS about the possibility of an innocent grandmother being caught in a targeted operation, responded ambiguously: “It depends. Let the judge decide.” Homan clarified that deportations would be carried out for individuals who have already been ordered removed by a judge.
For many undocumented migrants, the future remains uncertain. As discussions about mass deportations intensify, immigrants are left grappling with fear, confusion, and the hope that they can stay under the radar or that policies will change before they are directly affected.
Donald Trump’s team say that deportations will initially focus on public safety and national security threats.
The potential for widespread collateral arrests under the incoming Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies marks a stark departure from the approach taken by the Biden administration. While Biden’s policies focused primarily on deporting individuals who posed public safety threats and enforcing deportations soon after individuals were apprehended at the border, the Trump administration’s plans signal a more aggressive and indiscriminate approach.
Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed “border tsar,” recently downplayed fears of mass sweeps or large detention camps. However, despite his dismissals, the stock prices of private prison companies, such as GEO Group and CoreCivic, have soared by up to 90% since Trump’s election, suggesting the possibility of increased demand for detention facilities.
Undocumented migrants are a vital part of the US workforce, contributing to industries ranging from agriculture to construction and warehousing. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, expressed concern that workplace raids could lead to “indiscriminate” detentions. He argued that the absence of clear enforcement priorities under the Trump administration could result in more migrants being targeted. “I don’t think that being a person with no criminal record who pays taxes protects anybody,” he said. “When there are no priorities, they will go after whoever are the easiest targets.”
The prospect of becoming one of these “easy targets” has left many undocumented migrants deeply anxious, particularly those in mixed-status families. Their greatest fear is being separated from their loved ones.
Brenda, a 37-year-old Mexican-born “Dreamer” living in Texas, is currently shielded from deportation under the DACA program, but her husband and mother are not. While her two American-born children are citizens, the thought of her husband being deported to Mexico weighs heavily on her. Brenda, though optimistic that “good people” wouldn’t be among the first deportation targets, admits the constant worry of family separation lingers. “It’s important for us that we see our sons grow up,” she shared. “Of course, the thought of being separated leaves one frightened.”
As families like Brenda’s brace for the potential upheaval of their lives, the fear of being swept up in mass deportations remains a stark reality, as the Trump administration’s plans for immigration enforcement move forward. The uncertainty surrounding these plans, along with the possibility of more widespread detentions, has left immigrant communities across the country in a state of heightened anxiety.
SOURCE: BBC
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