Undocumented Migrants Face Uncertainty Amid Trump's Deportation Plans
Gabriela, a Bolivian immigrant, arrived in the U.S. over 20 years ago, hidden beneath corn stalks in the back of a smuggler’s car. Now living in Maryland and working as a housekeeper, she is one of approximately 13 million undocumented migrants in the U.S., a group encompassing individuals who crossed the border illegally, overstayed visas, or live under temporary protections.
With Donald Trump returning to the political spotlight and promising sweeping deportation measures, Gabriela and others are anxiously debating their future. Despite the rhetoric, she remains calm.
“I’m not worried,” she says confidently. “That’s for criminals. I pay taxes and work hard. I’m undocumented, so how would they even know about me?”
Her sentiment isn’t universal. Across the U.S., undocumented communities are discussing Trump’s vows to deport millions. Social media platforms, WhatsApp chats, and community gatherings buzz with speculation and fear. While Trump has consistently pledged mass deportations, the details remain unclear two weeks after his election victory.
Trump’s plans, as outlined during his campaign, promise robust action. However, logistical and financial hurdles loom large. Newly appointed border advisor Tom Homan has emphasized targeting individuals deemed threats to public safety or national security. He also hinted at reinstating workplace raids, a strategy halted under the Biden administration.
Deportation Past and Present
Deportations are not new to the U.S. Over 1.5 million people were expelled during President Biden’s tenure, and millions more were swiftly turned away during the COVID-19 pandemic. During Barack Obama’s presidency, nearly three million people were deported, earning him the nickname “deporter-in-chief.” However, Trump’s proposed measures aim to reach deeper into the U.S., including workplace operations and potential use of the National Guard.
JD Vance, Trump’s vice-presidential pick, has suggested that deportation efforts could initially focus on one million people. Despite these aggressive plans, some undocumented immigrants remain hopeful. Carlos, a Mexican immigrant in New York City whose son is a U.S. citizen, believes Trump’s presidency might bring economic benefits.
“A better economy helps everyone, including us,” Carlos says. “I’m slightly worried about raids, but I stay out of trouble. Worrying won’t solve anything.”
Families and Fear
Others, however, live in constant fear. Brenda, a 37-year-old Dreamer in Texas, has temporary protection from deportation. But her husband and mother lack such safeguards, leaving her anxious about potential family separation.
“We just want to raise our kids together,” Brenda says, her voice heavy with emotion. “The idea of being torn apart is terrifying.”
Mixed-status families, where some members are citizens and others are undocumented, are particularly vulnerable. Advocates warn that expanded operations could lead to “collateral arrests,” where individuals not initially targeted are detained during enforcement actions.
Policy expert Aaron Reichlin-Melnick explains: “If officers raid a home for one person, others living there could also be arrested. These indiscriminate actions leave no one truly safe.”
While Homan has dismissed claims of mass neighborhood sweeps, stock prices for private prison companies, which may be involved in detention facility construction, have soared since Trump’s election. Migrants employed in agriculture, construction, and warehouses worry that workplace raids could ensnare them regardless of their lack of criminal records.
Uncertain Times Ahead
Eric Bautista, a 29-year-old Dreamer and high school history teacher in California, has spent most of his life in the U.S. Teaching students about the struggles of past immigrant groups, he now feels he’s living a chapter of history himself.
“It’s a new wave of nativism,” Eric says. “For the first time in over two decades, I’m genuinely scared of what’s ahead.”
With Trump’s promises hanging in the air, undocumented communities brace for an uncertain future. For many, the fear of being separated from loved ones or caught in sweeping raids overshadows any hope for economic improvement.
As the debate unfolds, migrants like Gabriela hold on to a mix of resilience and pragmatism. “I’ve built a life here,” she says. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it as we always have—together.”
