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Immigrant communities in the Bay Area are concerned about a new Trump administration

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Immigrant communities in the Bay Area are concerned about a new Trump administration

SAN JOSE — President-elect Donald Trump’s new border czar has promised to cut funding to states that don’t assist with mass deportations, and those promises have created uncertainty and prompted action from communities and organizations in the Bay Area.

On a sunny afternoon in East San Jose, Evelin Castañeda walks hand in hand with her daughter Katherine. The sound of laughter fills the air, but behind her warm smile lies a palpable tension.

“In terms of immigration, my biggest fears are the raids; you live with the fear that raids might happen,” Evelin said.

Her journey as an undocumented immigrant began 15 years ago when she fled violence and poverty in Honduras. Gang violence, political instability and economic hardship have plagued the country for decades, forcing many, like Castañeda, to seek refuge in the United States.

“It was difficult because when I arrived in 2009, that same year, there was a coup in my country, and many of us emigrated because the situation was difficult,” she recalls.

She found refuge in San Jose, where she became an integral part of the community, working as a housekeeper and volunteering with local organizations. However, with the election of President Trump and his campaign promise to focus heavily on immigration enforcement, they and many like them are now preparing for a possible crackdown.

Organizations like Amigos de Guadalupe are doing their best to provide critical support. Jeremy Barousse, director of the organization, emphasized the importance of empowering the community with resources.

“We have our Rapid Response Network and we are bringing Know Your Rights information to our community and recruiting Rapid Responders, in case we see ICE activity in the community,” Barousse explained.

Amigos de Guadalupe has become a beacon of hope for undocumented immigrants, providing legal assistance, support groups and crucial information to those facing an uncertain future.

“We have seen a small trickle this past week. People who want more information about legal services and their individual cases,” Barousse added.

In addition to community workshops, organizations are distributing flyers with hotlines for reporting ICE activities and informing families of their legal options.

The urgency is growing. Since the election, President-elect Trump has confirmed plans to declare a national immigration emergency, which may involve deploying military resources to assist with mass deportations. His appointment of Tom Homan, former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as “border czar” has increased anxiety for many undocumented families.

“My husband and I have been thinking since Trump’s first term about drafting a document to grant custody of our children to my brother-in-law, who is a permanent resident, to ensure that they remain in this country can stay,” she said. .

For her and her family, the uncertainty is overwhelming.

“It gives you anxiety knowing that the future for us is uncertain,” she said.

Despite these fears, she finds comfort in knowing that organizations like Amigos de Guadalupe are ready to support her and others like her. Their work offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging landscape.

During President Trump’s first term, his administration deported approximately 1.5 million immigrants. The Biden administration is on track to match these numbers, leaving families in limbo as they navigate an uncertain future.

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