In many cities across the U.S., immigrants and minorities say fear has become part of their daily lives as enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues. In recent times, ICE operations have included workplace raids, house arrests, and the arrests that cause the most controversy, if you look like the target and get arrested regardless of citizenship status. While the government, pundits and some citizens argue that I.C.E is doing their job at keeping public safety and national security, some say that the impact reaches far beyond the arrests.
Communities report that many immigrants are afraid to go to work, attend events or even walk out of their houses in general. Even when reports turn out to be false, the fear continues to linger, causing people to stay indoors.
Regardless of legal status, immigrants are even avoiding healthcare visits because of their concern that they will be swept away from their U.S. home. The threat of deportation deters people from acquiring vaccines, prenatal care, and even emergency care according to The Nation’s Health.
People are being arrested on their way to work, to school, or by simply walking down the street, without any warrant or reasonable suspicion. If you fit the description or even speak Spanish you will get put in handcuffs and sent to a detention center where people are kept for weeks on end without any explanation or due process. Officers are constantly patrolling areas with prominent immigrant communities, looking for their next victim.
Local governments have all responded in different ways. Some have limited cooperation with immigration enforcement arguing that the way they are going about their duties is wrong and trust between police and people is what matters. Here in Jersey City, Mayor James Solomon is among those who agree, going as far as signing an executive order that says Jersey City resources will not provide any aid to I.C.E and explained to the people what to do in case of arrest.
As immigration policy continues to shift, many minority communities say they are waiting to see what will happen next, while trying to live as normally as possible under the dire conditions.
