by Lupe A.
Register Her Contributor
Increasing threats and fears of “mass deportations” are rippling through immigrant communities across the country. In Texas, we have seen mass deportations play out under various administrations (including the previous administration) with neighborhood and workplace raids. We have seen policies expand the power of expedited removals and allow local law enforcement to assist in the detainment of families, children, and other people. The National Immigrant Justice Center states, “Using expedited removal, an immigration officer may quickly deport individuals without due process if the government establishes that they entered the United States without immigration documents and have been in the country for less than two years.” To me, this means that Texas immigrants who contribute to the fabric of our society are denied constitutional rights in communities where they pay taxes. To make matters worse, various Texas counties have implemented the 287(g) program. The Warrant Service Officer version of this program, “Allows ICE to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their agency’s jail,” expanding the police state’s ability to ravage the lives of people.
In San Antonio, we are hearing reports of elementary school faculty and staff being trained in how to handle Immigration and Customs (ICE) raids targeted at their students. In Fort Worth, community members have reported multiple ICE raids at their places of employment. Over the phone, my friend [REDACTED] cries to me as she and her wife frantically prepare for their first attempt to move to Canada. On FaceTime, my sister begs my dad to stay in Colorado instead of visiting our grandmother, who he hasn't seen in over 12 years, in fear he’d get detained by ICE. In fear of deportation, he’ll miss his final chance to see my grandma. These accounts are not unique or new. These realities, and others much worse, have only increased since this administration’s violent declaration of “invasion” from immigrants.
But we know how to take care of one another. Change in the U.S. has almost always begun in the South; Texas is no different. The barking of this administration has only fueled the fire of connection between Texans. Here, people have banned together to create safety amongst ourselves without the help of state entities. Local media outlets have begun to air conversations with lawyers on next steps for undocumented immigrants. Communities and grassroots organizations have increased their “Know Your Rights” trainings, and Texans are taking to social media to share any visible ICE sightings happening in their neighborhoods. Young people in Texas have begun to lead protests, resist through the joy of dancing, and share their grief through art.
People power is the ultimate power. If you are othered, you are next.
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