Immigrant communities along the U.S.-Mexico border are gripped by fear as President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants. Mercedes, a resident of El Paso originally from Juarez, Mexico, shared how she and her family fled violence in their home country, seeking safety in the United States. But now, two decades later, Mercedes fears that her family will be torn apart and forced to return to the violence they fled.
With the announcement of mass deportations and the possible involvement of the military, anxiety is mounting. “In our communities, there is a lot of concern, a lot of fear,” said Mercedes. “Sadly, sometimes we transmit that fear to our children, and they are showing signs of fear and depression.”
Advocates, including Alan Lizarraga of the Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), are urging undocumented migrants to remain calm, avoid panic, and educate themselves on their legal rights. “It’s an important moment for people to get trusted legal advice and not fall back into the shadows,” Lizarraga stated, emphasizing the need to protect long-term immigrant residents contributing to their communities.
Migrant advocacy organizations nationwide are lobbying against aggressive immigration policies, urging lawmakers to protect mixed-status families and undocumented workers with clean criminal records. There is also a call for comprehensive immigration reform to provide opportunities for undocumented workers who have deep ties to the U.S.
Mercedes, reflecting on her family’s experience, emphasized the rights that immigrants still have in the U.S., offering some peace of mind. She and other advocates recommend preparing emergency plans, organizing important documents, and designating trusted individuals to care for children in case of deportation.
The concerns are heightened as immigrants in similar situations have faced deportation proceedings, often stemming from routine encounters with law enforcement or minor offenses that lead to immigration detainers.
