The uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations has created widespread anxiety among undocumented immigrants living in the United States. While some, like Gabriela, feel reassured by Trump’s statement that deportations will focus on individuals with criminal records, others, particularly those in mixed-status families, fear being caught up in the wider crackdown. Trump’s administration has emphasized targeting national security and public safety threats, with a possible return to workplace raids and using military resources for deportations.
For many undocumented migrants, such as Carlos from New York, the potential for economic improvement under Trump’s policies provides some hope. However, the fear of indiscriminate detentions remains, as experts warn that deportation efforts may extend beyond those with criminal convictions to include individuals without any legal issues. The risk of “collateral arrests,” where innocent family members or housemates are detained alongside the primary target, has heightened this fear.
Among the most concerned are “Dreamers” like Eric Bautista, who fear the rise of nativism and xenophobia under Trump’s presidency. Advocacy groups predict that, like during Trump’s first term, many undocumented migrants will face heightened risk of deportation, even if they are not directly targeted.
The prospect of mass deportations has also spurred a rise in the stock prices of private prison companies, potentially signaling a return to large-scale detention facilities. For many undocumented immigrants, the uncertainty remains a source of immense fear, with some unsure if their tax-paying status or long residence in the country will offer any protection against deportation.
