Undocumented Communities Across the U.S. Brace for Possible Deportations as Trump’s Second Term Looms

 

As Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, anxiety ripples through undocumented communities across the United States, fearing a surge in deportations. Trump, who has consistently advocated for a strict immigration policy, promises intensified actions to secure the border and curb unauthorized migration—a stance that has left millions of undocumented individuals worried about their future.

In the final days leading up to the election, Areli Hernandez, herself undocumented, traveled to Phoenix to engage voters and discuss the possible repercussions of mass deportations. Hernandez, brought to the U.S. from Mexico as a child in the 1980s, recalls the pervasive fear during Trump’s first term, when immigration enforcement was heightened. “Every immigrant in my community was afraid of being picked up by officials,” she shared.

With Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, he is expected to deliver on his promise of a “record” deportation effort. Trump has repeatedly described unauthorized border crossings as an “invasion” and has blamed immigrants for issues such as crime and economic challenges. If enacted, his plan could reportedly cost nearly $1 trillion in federal funds over a decade, posing what experts say could be an “economic disaster” for the country.

To enforce these plans, experts note that Trump would need expanded infrastructure, including new detention centers, which could affect the nearly 11 million undocumented individuals living in the U.S., including those in mixed-status families. "Mass deportations are a direct threat to countless families," explained Lindsay Toczylowski, executive director of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center.

One major point of concern is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects over 800,000 “Dreamers” brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. Although the program has withstood legal challenges, Dreamers like Hernandez now fear Trump’s return could mean its end. "We don’t have a plan if he decides to terminate it," Hernandez admitted, expressing frustration that immigrant contributions to the country remain unrecognized.

Advocates are also preparing for the return of previous policies, such as “Remain in Mexico,” which forced asylum seekers to wait across the border, where many were exposed to crime and violence. Trump has further indicated he would block refugees from Gaza and reinstate his controversial travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries, which was previously quashed by the Biden administration.

The anticipated policies have drawn criticism from organizations like the Haitian Bridge Alliance, whose director, Guerline Jozef, underscored the harmful effects of Trump’s rhetoric on immigrant communities. "The psychological violence from his words alone is deeply detrimental,” she stated, adding that many immigrants are left uncertain about their next steps.

With Trump poised to enact policies that could drastically affect millions of lives, immigration advocates and attorneys are mobilizing to challenge these measures in court, ensuring that legal pathways remain for those seeking refuge and opportunity in the United States.