A weekly legal aid clinic organized by the immigrant aid group Keep Tucson Together attracts around a dozen people to a high school cafeteria on a tranquil evening in Tucson.
Years ago, the clinic in Tucson served as a gathering place for local families seeking information about the Obama-era DACA program.
Xochitl Mercado, the volunteer coordinator and citizenship program lead at the organization, notes that there has been a recent surge in individuals seeking guidance and clarification regarding the potential impact of the new Trump administration on their daily lives. People are reaching out by visiting the office or making phone calls to express their concerns and seek information.
“They arrive filled with fear and anguish, concerned about the unknown outcomes if their loved ones fall ill and are admitted to the hospital,” she expressed in Spanish.
Mothers have expressed their fears of potentially getting arrested while taking their special needs children to medical appointments. Similarly, fathers have voiced their concerns about going to work.
Mercado carries a cart brimming with tools to distribute. These tools are remnants from past periods of intensified deportations — small cards in Spanish and English that outline an individual’s rights under the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, there are prominent yellow signs that clearly state that law enforcement cannot enter without a warrant.
She emphasized the importance of ensuring that individuals comprehend their rights, regardless of their immigration status. “Above all,” she added, “it is crucial to let people know that they have rights.”
President-elect Trump has made a promise to carry out large-scale deportations for the approximately 13 million undocumented individuals residing in the United States. This population consists of individuals who have either overstayed their visas or are in the country under temporary protection from deportation. However, the specific details of how this plan will be executed are still uncertain.
In the weeks following the election, Trump has been expressing contradictory views on immigration. On one hand, he claims that he will prioritize targeting immigrants with criminal histories and also ensure protection for DACA recipients. On the other hand, he has also suggested that even U.S. citizen children could potentially face deportation along with their family members.
According to Noah Schramm, a policy strategist at the ACLU of Arizona, there is still uncertainty surrounding the specifics, but they have certain expectations based on the actions of the previous Trump administration.
“We should anticipate an increase in federal enforcement and the possibility of significant cooperation at the state level in regards to mass deportation,” he remarked. “It is important to recognize the seriousness of the threats they are making on this matter.”
According to him, this is particularly true due to Proposition 314, a law recently passed by a significant majority of Arizona voters. However, the implementation of a crucial aspect of the law, which grants immigration-related arrest authority to local police, has been temporarily halted pending ongoing litigation of a similar law in Texas.
Mayor Regina Romero of Tucson and other city leaders have expressed their opposition to the deportation plans of the incoming administration. This stance is seen as beneficial for communities, as it suggests that President Trump would require the assistance of local jurisdictions to execute large-scale deportations.
He emphasized that immigration and immigration enforcement fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, leaving limited options for local and state officials to impede the process.
Deportation and family separation have long been familiar and distressing issues, particularly in Arizona. In fact, Arizona faced a similar situation over a decade ago with SB1070, which granted local law enforcement the power to make immigration-related arrests until the Supreme Court deemed it unlawful.
I have a vivid memory of that time when Maria Dorie returned home from school to find her Tucson apartment complex surrounded by immigration authorities. To her shock, she discovered that her neighbors were being detained.
“I vividly recall turning to my mother and questioning, ‘Why are they being taken away?’ And she explained, ‘Because they openly discussed their immigration status, and this is the consequence.’ That moment stuck with me, and it made me realize that I should never disclose my status, or else I would face a similar fate,” she shared. “It was an incredibly distressing event because it made me realize that I had to navigate life in Arizona under the shadow of SB1070.”
Dorie immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 3, alongside her parents. While her siblings hold U.S. citizenship, she remains undocumented. Dorie has made two applications for DACA in the past and more recently applied for a short-lived Biden program that aimed to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. However, her status as an undocumented individual persists.
“I’ve had to get my fingerprints done three times in total – twice for my DACA applications and once for my Biden parole in place. It’s frustrating because each time I go through the process, I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakthrough, only to have it snatched away,” she expressed.
During the first Trump administration, her family was preparing for the worst-case scenario. However, now that she has grown into an adult, their family’s new plan designates her as the caregiver for her siblings.
“If my parents are detained, what will we do? We will have to go back to making plans. Where will the children go? My aunt suggested that the younger ones can stay with her, and Maria can take care of the other two,” she expressed her concerns. “I’m not sure how I would manage it.”
Cynthia Moran has always been a firm believer in preparing for the worst. Throughout her life, she has consistently taken steps to ensure she is ready for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
“When I was a young child, I never openly expressed my fears, but deep down, I often wondered about the future and what it would be like if my mom wasn’t there one day,” she shared.
She is currently 18 years old and studying at the University of Arizona. She is the eldest among her four siblings, all of whom were born in Phoenix. However, her parents do not have legal documentation. In fifth grade, her father received a deportation order.
“I believe that was the moment when my small bubble burst and I had the opportunity to witness the struggles that many families were experiencing,” she expressed.
According to her, her mom was starting to feel more at ease with the idea of making the two-hour drive to visit her in Tucson. However, the current situation is causing a shift in those plans. Nevertheless, she mentions that her family has yet to have a conversation about it.
“I can’t even begin to imagine my life without my mother. She is my rock, supporting me in every aspect of my life, from my education to my personal endeavors,” she expressed. “I believe our reluctance to accept the fact that President-elect Donald Trump may follow through with his promise of mass deportation has prevented us from discussing the potential consequences if my mother were to be detained and deported.”
Moran acknowledges that the conversation needs to take place at some point. However, she and her partner do not currently feel prepared for it.
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State Sen. John Kavanagh said it would be cut out of a $250,000 border security package because county Sheriff David Hathaway won’t enforce Proposition 314. As Hathaway says, portions of the law aren’t in effect, anyway.
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ICE’s 2024 annual report shows the agency carried out more than 271,000 deportations this fiscal year, which spans October 2023 and this September. That number includes almost 50,000 family units and more than 400 unaccompanied children.
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Republican state lawmakers voted to block Santa Cruz County from receiving $250,000 in border security funding after the county sheriff said he wouldn’t enforce a border ballot measure approved by voters.
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So much of the immigration debate centers on the border, and what should, or shouldn’t, happen at the moment people try to cross it. But, there’s a part of the process that doesn’t get talked about as much: naturalization.
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In attempting to explain a vast, multi-pronged crisis, “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here,” by Jonathan Blitzer unfolds as a series of character studies around the surge of migrants at the southern border.
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State Senator John Kavanagh has decided to remove it from a $250,000 border security package due to Sheriff David Hathaway’s refusal to enforce Proposition 314. According to Hathaway, certain parts of the law are not currently in effect.
According to the 2024 annual report of ICE, the agency has conducted over 271,000 deportations in the current fiscal year, which covers the period from October 2023 to September. This figure comprises nearly 50,000 family units and over 400 unaccompanied children.
Republican state lawmakers have taken action to prevent Santa Cruz County from receiving $250,000 in border security funding. This decision was made in response to the county sheriff’s refusal to enforce a border ballot measure that had been approved by voters.
The focus of the immigration debate often revolves around the border and the actions that should or should not occur when individuals attempt to cross it. However, there is a significant aspect of this process that is often overlooked: naturalization.
“Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here,” by Jonathan Blitzer is a thought-provoking exploration of the complex and multi-faceted crisis at the southern border. Instead of offering a straightforward explanation, the book takes a unique approach by presenting a series of character studies that shed light on the experiences of migrants during this surge.