The Independent: Immigrants and American cities brace for the impact of Trump’s ‘damaging’ executive orders

Immigrant communities throughout the nation are preparing themselves for the onslaught of anti-immigration measures initiated by Donald Trump. These actions have already faced legal and constitutional opposition, leaving thousands of individuals stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border in their pursuit of a brighter future.

In Chicago, the promised launch of President  Donald Trump‘s mass deportation operation by his “border czar” Tom Homan has sparked a wave of preparation among community groups. These groups have been busy providing “know your rights” training and addressing numerous inquiries from immigrants and their families regarding the uncertain future. One of the main concerns is what would happen if federal law enforcement agents were to show up at their schools and workplaces.

Ed Yohnka, the director of communications and public policy at the ACLU of Illinois, expressed his surprise at the notion of an emergency situation in Chicago. In an interview with The Independent, he stated, “I think the idea that there is some sort of an emergency here in Chicago will come as a surprise to people who live here.”

According to the speaker, the true emergency lies in the fear and uncertainty experienced by individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their loved ones. He emphasizes that the real concern is the anxiety felt by children who attend school and live in constant fear of raids.

Chicago’s Latinos Progresando, located in the Little Village neighborhood, has been prioritizing the provision of quick legal services and assisting DACA recipients in renewing their applications with federal agencies before the Trump administration assumes office.

According to Nubia Willman, the chief programs officer, there are many uncertainties surrounding the issue of mass deportation. In an interview with The Independent, she revealed that people have been preparing for this possibility and have been asking questions about its implications, especially concerning the well-being of their children.

Willman stated that there was a previous notion that only a specific group of people would be targeted. However, now it is becoming clear that the scope of the targeting is much wider and not limited to certain individuals. Willman added that everyone, regardless of their immigration status or citizenship, is now realizing that they may be at risk.

Trump has issued 10 orders, which include a declaration of a national emergency to send more troops to the border and to build physical barriers. Another order clarifies that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution does not grant citizenship to children born to parents who entered the country illegally.

The “Remain in Mexico” policy has been reinstated by another order. This policy requires individuals to remain on the other side of the southern border while their immigration cases are being reviewed by U.S. courts and authorities. It is important to note that there is currently no agreement with Mexico regarding this policy.

The administration is putting a halt on asylum claims, which is a right protected by both U.S. and international law. Additionally, the refugee resettlement program, which has been in place for many years, will be paused for a minimum of four months.

Since its introduction in January 2023, the CBP One app has been utilized by over 900,000 individuals to arrange appointments with immigration authorities at the southern border. Trump is now putting an end to this service.

Around 270,000 individuals on the other side of the border were attempting to secure an appointment through the application when it was unexpectedly closed down on Monday.

The app served as the sole method for individuals residing outside the country to initiate their asylum claims and immigration paperwork by requesting an appointment at an official port of entry. Despite its true purpose, Trump and his allies falsely portrayed it as a quick route for illegal immigration.

On Monday, the app’s website stated that it is no longer accessible, and all appointments have been abruptly cancelled.

Hundreds of people who were waiting in line for their appointments at ports of entry along the southern border were given a unified message: “Existing appointments through CPB One are no longer valid.”

On January 25, the appointment of another woman and her two minor children, who have been involved in a lengthy legal battle over restrictions on asylum claims, has been cancelled.

Previously, the app was able to handle a daily load of up to 1,450 individuals who were seeking asylum.

A group of civil rights attorneys argued in a court filing on Monday that the elimination of the appointment process has effectively eradicated the right to seek asylum at the border. They emphasized that this applies regardless of the level of danger faced by migrants, including families with children.

Chicago’s City Council recently made a decision to prevent a vote on a proposed amendment to the city’s sanctuary ordinance. This amendment aimed to enable local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration authorities in situations where undocumented immigrants have been apprehended or found guilty of specific crimes. The council’s vote resulted in a 39-11 majority opposing the amendment.

According to a spokesperson, while Chicago police do not keep records of immigration status or cooperate with federal immigration authorities, they will not interfere with the duties of other government agencies in the city.

“There are boundaries when it comes to enforcing immigration, and we need to determine when and where it is suitable to do so. If these boundaries are exceeded, we will explore enforcement methods,” Yohnka stated in an interview with The Independent. “However, it is challenging to predict what these methods might entail.”

Trump has made a commitment to conducting widespread arrests and deportations, with the aim of targeting millions of individuals throughout the nation. Homan has consistently expressed the concern that U.S. citizen children may potentially be detained and deported alongside their noncitizen parents. In light of this, families have sought clarification from advocates and legal organizations regarding the possibility of immigration raids that could potentially target workplaces, schools, and places of worship.

According to Mario Garcia, executive director of Chicago’s Onward House, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to asylum seekers, the impact of destroying communities is devastating as it directly affects the lives of individuals.

“It will have a devastating impact on businesses and the social fabric, especially affecting women and children,” he expressed his concerns to The Independent.

According to Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the president and CEO of Global Refuge, Trump’s approach to immigration needs to be more precise and targeted, rather than using a heavy-handed approach.

In a statement shared with The Independent, she expressed her concern about the potential negative impact of a sweeping enforcement dragnet. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between serious offenders and valuable community members who have lived without incident for decades. She believed that implementing such indiscriminate policies would be both cruel and counterproductive. Instead, she advocated for thoughtful and targeted solutions that uphold our moral obligations, prevent the shattering of lives, and avoid devastating local economies.

According to her, the re-implementation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy and the suspension of asylum claims is reminiscent of a dark past.

Amy Fischer, director of Amnesty International USA’s refugee and migrant rights program, criticized President Trump’s immediate actions to implement his harmful, racist, anti-immigrant agenda within the first 24 hours of his second term.

She stated that by upending asylum law, it will only worsen the chaos across the country and the humanitarian crisis at the border.

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