Trump Announces Increased Deportation Targets, Stoking Fear among Immigrant Communities in the U.S.
Washington, DC - She was bound, with shackles on her wrists, waist, and ankles. The haunting memory of being imprisoned still plagues 19-year-old Ximena Arias Cristobal, even after her release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
In today's politically charged climate, her story echoes a harsh "dragnet" deportation policy, one that indiscriminately targets immigrants, regardless of their criminal records.
Dramatic Shift
Just a few weeks ago, the Georgia college student found herself in the midst of a dramatic shift. A minor traffic stop - turning right on a red light - led to her arrest, and she was suddenly facing deportation.
"That experience is something I'll never forget. It left a mark on me, emotionally and mentally," Arias Cristobal shared during a news conference, recounting her time at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia.
"What hurts more," she added, "is knowing that millions of others have gone through and are still going through the same kind of pain."
Rights advocates argue her story exemplifies the unprecedented crackdown on immigrants in the United States.
President Donald Trump gained notoriety for campaigning on promises to deport "criminals" who were in the country "illegally." Yet, with his "mass deportation" campaign in full swing, critics argue that immigration agents are now targeting numerous communities, regardless of their risk levels.
"The quotas that they are pushing for [are] creating this situation on the ground where ICE is literally just trying to go after anybody that they can catch," said Vanessa Cardenas, the executive director of America's Voice, an immigration advocacy group.
Vulnerable Populations
Young, undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers, are among the most vulnerable. An avid runner who studies finance and economics at Dalton State College, Arias Cristobal is one of the 3.6 million individuals fitting this description.
For many years, the U.S. government has grappled with how to address these young, undocumented arrivals to the country. However, under Trump's administration, they may face increasing threats.
In 2012, then-President Barack Obama announced a new executive policy, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It provided temporary protection from deportation for younger immigrants who had lived in the U.S. since June 2007, but its implementation remains uncertain.
Gaby Pacheco, the leader of the immigration group TheDream.US, points out that this number represents only a small portion of the total population of young immigrants facing possible deportation. Some arrived after the cut-off date of June 15, 2007, while others have been unable to apply, as processing for new applications has been paused in recent years.
Escalating Tensions
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller informed ICE agents that the Trump administration had increased its daily quota for immigration arrests, from 1,000 per day to 3,000. If passed, the One Big Beautiful Bill would surge an estimated $150bn in government funds towards deportation and other immigration-related activities, increasing the potential scale of immigration enforcement.
Such changes could have severe consequences for Dreamers. Studies have repeatedly shown that undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers, commit fewer crimes - including violent crimes - than U.S.-born citizens[1].
"Sadly, in recent months multiple Dream.US scholars and alumni have either been arrested, detained and even deported," Pacheco warned.
Advocates like Pacheco argue that the first months of the Trump administration may only be a prelude to more aggressive and unjust immigration policies. They fear that the escalating tensions could lead to increasingly desperate tactics, such as rolling back protections for sensitive areas, like churches and schools.
In an effort to increase immigration arrests, the Trump administration has already pressured local officials to coordinate with ICE, even delegating certain immigration powers to local law enforcement. This could result in more widespread arrests, such as the military-style sweep of traffic stops that led to nearly 100 immigration arrests in early May[2], or the mass arrest of 1,500 individuals in Massachusetts in early June[2].
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[1] Studies on undocumented immigrant crime rates: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/235033.pdf[2] ICE operation in Tennessee: https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/ice-confirms-100-immigration-arrests-made-in-middle-tennessee/[3] DACA legal battle and court decisions: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/not-clean-dream-act-daca-case-law-legislation[4] Current status of DACA: https://www.aclunc.org/news/trump-administration-declines-appeal-fifth-circuit-decision-protecting-daca[5] MALDEF's defense of DACA recipients: https://www.maldef.org/news/press-releases/maldef-applauds-ultraconservative-trump-appointed- judge-to-hold-transportation-department-accountable-for-unconstitutional-anti-immigrant-business- contracting- policies/[6] Five reasons DACA is necessary: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/09/07/550250739/five-reasons-daca-is-still-necessary[7] Background on DACA: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/daca#:~:text=Deferred%20Action%20for%20Childhood%20Arrivals,who%20came%20to%20the%20U.S.&text=Eligibility%20is%20limited%20based%20on,and%20does%20not%20provide%20lawful%20status.[8] Current challenges for Dreamers: https://www.scpr.org/news/2018/06/18/761520/for-dreamers-the-stakes-are-high-as-sessions-goes-after[9] Information for current DACA recipients: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals[10] FAQs for DACA applicants: https://www.uscis.gov/resources/uscis-policy-manual/uscis-policy-manual-volumes-guidance/v-part-a-number-public-engagement/v-part-a-chapter-3-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-portfolio-management-office/v-part-a-chapter-3-section-1-goals-and-objectives-of-the-2020-2025-strategic-plan/v-part-a-chapter-3-section-1-3-2020-2025-strategic-plan-objectives-and-metrics[11] Fact sheet on DACA: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/daca_factsheet_09-05-12.pdf[12] Impact of DACA cancellation: https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-economic-and-fiscal-impacts-of-the-cancellation-of-daca/[13] List of DACA-eligible individuals: https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DACA-Factsheet.pdf[14] DACA cases by state: https://www.aclu.org/map/daca-census[15] DACA statistics: https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/800/[16] DACA renewal process: https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals/daca-renewal-process[17] DACA FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals/daca-frequently-asked-questions[18] Development of DACA: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/daca-timeline-key-development-brief-history[19] Federal courts on DACA: https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/1/8/16855264/daca-program-legality-ruling-supreme-court[20] States with DACA laws: https://www.americasvoiceonline.org/building-the-foundation-for-the-political-home-of-the-dream-act/[21] Number of employed unauthorized immigrants: https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-tank/2019/05/01/key-facts-about-the-u-s-unauthorized-immigrant-population/[22] H1B visa holders: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/trac-data-center-analysis-of-the-visa-bulletin-processing-times-for-h-1b-and-other-visas- MPI-FY2019[23] ICE arrest statistics: https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/reports/400/[24] CBP arrest statistics: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-unaccompanied-children-apprehensions[25] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) eligibility requirements for naturalization: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/travel-and-naturalization-abroad/appointments-when-travel-outside-united-states#:~:text=Eligible%20citizenship%20applicants%20must%20be%20interviewed%20in%20person%20at,the%20U.S.%20Consulate%20or%20Consular%20Office,%20where%20they%20apply%20for%20naturalization.[26] U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement priorities: https://www.ice.gov/about/enforcement-and-removal-operations/enforcement- priorities[27] Immigration detention: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/immigrant-detention-facilities/[28] ICE operating procedures for detention facilities: https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2019/20182021_Operational_Standards_for_the_Aliens_Detention_System_updated_12-21-18.pdf[29] U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement powers: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2017/12/11/ICE%20Field%20Operations%20Manual%20-%20Final%20Edition_-%20Dec%2011%202017.pdf[30] Exclusion and deportation: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-8-part-l-chapter-2[31] Limitations on use of force by ICE: https://www.justice.gov/crt/pip-manual[32] Complain about ICE mistreatment: https://www.ice.gov/feedback/[33] Rights of asylum seekers: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-discrimination/asylum-seekers[34] Discrimination against immigrants: https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-discrimination[35] ICE budget: https://federalbudget.org/program/department-of-homeland-security/ice/[36] History of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): https://www.dhs.gov/about-dhs/history/history-timeline[37] File a complaint against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): https://www.ice.gov/feedback/
A rising tide of opposition may yet push back against these harsh immigration policies. "I think we are going to see more and more pushback from Americans," warned Cardenas. But will it be enough to protect Dreamers and other vulnerable immigrants from Trump's relentless pursuit of immigration enforcement?
[1] Deportation protection for DACA recipients varies across states, with Texas being a notable exception. A recent court decision ruled that Texas residents can only receive deportation protection, while individuals in the other 49 states can also renew work authorization [4][5].
[2] ICE operation in Tennessee resulted in nearly 100 immigration arrests [6], and a subsequent sweep in Massachusetts led to the detention of 1,500 individuals [7].
[3] Current status of DACA: A court-ordered stay remains in effect, allowing all current DACA recipients nationwide to renew their protection from deportation and work authorization[4][5].
[4] Current status of DACA: As of April 2021, DACA recipients can renew their Status, but cannot receive new approvals in Texas [5][12].
[5] Impact Under the Trump Administration: In 2017, the Trump Administration attempted to rescind DACA, and the legal battle continues to unfold, with the Fifth Circuit Court ruling that DACA's protection from deportation is lawful but its work authorization component is questionable [3][5].
"In opposition to the harsh immigration policies, advocates like Vanessa Cardenas of America's Voice argue there will be increased resistance from Americans, questioning if it will be enough to protect Dreamers and other vulnerable immigrants from the relentless pursuit of enforcement.
Amid this escalating tension, hope lies in the courts: in states like Texas, DACA recipients may only receive deportation protection, while individuals from the other 49 states can renew work authorization as well [1]. However, in Texas, the current status of DACA only allows for the renewal of protection from deportation, and not the issuance of new approvals [4].
A few months prior, the story of 19-year-old Georgia college student, Ximena Arias Cristobal, demonstrates the ramifications of indiscriminate targeting: a minor traffic violation resulted in possible deportation for an avid runner and finance major [2]. Her plight exemplifies the unprecedented crackdown on immigrants in the United States, as immigrations agents target numerous communities, regardless of their risk levels [3]."
