When President Trump took office, he immediately signed and took action on his executive orders and immigration plans. His administration promised to decimate immigrants living in the country illegally, as well as impose stricter rules that make it even more difficult for immigrants to come into the United States. He wanted to implement an increase in laws and promote harsher ICE raids all over the country, targeting major cities like Chicago and New York.
Here in Aurora, ICE Raids have been in effect in the Metro area, taking place as recently as last week. The Edge Apartments, in Aurora, were one of the first places where ICE made arrests. Many of those living inside were said to be members of the infamous gang, Tren de Aragua. Yet families who were residing in the apartments were affected by the harsh knocks and threats that were made by ICE, especially those with children.
These new regulations aren’t only targeting the “illegal criminals” but attacking the Latin/Hispanic communities and others as well like Native Americans. Families are being separated once again, young children are seeing their hard-working parents being stripped away from their homes, and some hope every day that their parents return back home safely from their workplaces. Trump has used this as a scare tactic, and it’s working. Families are scared to step outside their homes; they are trying to avoid any encounter with ICE.
As a daughter of an immigrant, the effects of these policies hit hard. In 2015, when I was just seven years old, my family traveled to Ciudad Juarez so my dad could complete his process of becoming a US citizen. Younger me didn’t understand why we were there; I thought we were there for vacation like any other child would. Later that week, he was at his appointment, but when he walked out, I could sense that he wasn’t happy. His application had been denied due to the lawyer’s unethical work. My parents were told that they didn’t need to bring certain papers and the paperwork they brought with them was enough, which was false. We were in Mexico at the time so he wasn’t able to couldn’t return to the U.S; back to his home with his family, with us. I vividly remember myself in the taxi to the airport, next to my mom. We looked back at my dad as he stood in the hotel parking lot, watching the car we were in. Soon after, he headed back into the building. I remember being torn, sad, and scared, having the thought in my head that he might not be able to come back, mostly due to the upcoming elections in 2016, especially with Trump. He stayed with his family in Mexico that whole summer. I facetimed him every night before I went to bed and there was just an empty feeling in my heart until he made it back to the States in late July. But the fear never truly left.
President Trump’s scare tactics work. Some think that these threats will eventually rub off and everything will go back to normal but this does not seem like the case. But fear lingers for families like my own. The thought and feeling of being separated never truly goes away. When Trump was elected in 2016, he used the same threats that he is using now and it did scare me. I was scared that my dad would get separated from us again and this time I wouldn’t see him again. Everything immigrants feel is real because due to these unnecessary defenses that are put up I’ve experienced every part of a parent being separated from me.
Families deserve to remain together, and those in power to change this should have a heart and consider how the younger generation feels about this, not be soulless beings. Immigrants are not “aliens” or “criminals”. They are hard workers and people who came here for a better life and seeking better lives not only for themselves but for their families. Kids need their parents as much as they need them
Imagine the distress and fear that children experience when they are suddenly torn away from the individuals who comfort them every day. These families come for a better life, better opportunities, and a more positive environment for their children but are instead met with these harsh enforcement measures that make them feel less than others . These separations can last a lifetime, affecting the mental and emotional well-being of both the children and the parents. It’s important to address this issue with empathy and recognize the problem, yet those enforcing these policies fail to acknowledge the devastating consequences.
