Kansas City Residents Fear Deportation Amid New Administration
In Kansas City, the anxiety levels are rising fast as residents brace for potential changes under the incoming Trump administration. Many immigrants, particularly those who are here without necessary documentation, are filled with dread at the thought of what may happen when Donald Trump officially takes office for a second term. Sylvia, a 33-year-old mother of two American citizens, shared her fear and uncertainty about the future. She entered the United States illegally two decades ago, fleeing domestic abuse in Guatemala.
A Journey Fueled by Fear
Sylvia’s journey to the United States was not a choice; it was a desperate attempt to escape a life of terror. Now, with memories of her homeland fading, she finds her nights plagued by nightmares of being deported back to a country that holds no comfort for her. “I have nightmares they pick me up in a truck and send me to my country. It makes me very sad,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. Since the recent election, her mental health has taken a hit, leading to job loss and hospitalization.
Under the previous administration, she felt a constant sense of danger. “I feared that they would pick me up and that I would never see my kids again,” Sylvia recalled. And now, with Trump promising the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, her fears are back in full force.
An Overwhelmed Legal System
As Trump’s inauguration date approaches, Kansas City immigration attorneys like Andrea Martinez are witnessing an overwhelming number of calls from concerned clients. “We’re already drowning in work because people are calling us terrified,” Martinez said. The emotions in the room are palpable; anxiety and worry are common, as many fear a repeat of the aggressive policies of the past—policies that included family separations and heightened border enforcement.
Rekha Sharma-Crawford, another immigration attorney in the city, echoed these sentiments. “Communities are scared. This time, they’ve had four years to plan. So, what awaits us is terrifying for communities, for sure.” With around 13.3 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., concerns are skyrocketing about the approaching policies and their impact on families and communities.
Misconceptions About Immigrants
Despite prevailing narratives that portray undocumented immigrants as criminals or job stealers, studies tell a different story. A recent study from the National Institute of Justice showed that the rate of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants is in fact lower than that of U.S.-born citizens. Additionally, a Pew Research Center survey revealed that about 75% of voters believe these immigrants are filling jobs that U.S. citizens do not want.
Local attorney Chris McKinney is also witnessing a shift in his conversations with clients. He’s receiving calls not just from undocumented individuals but also from U.S. citizens who are worried about being unfairly profiled based on their heritage. “It’s a tough time for everyone connected to these communities,” he noted.
What’s on the Horizon?
As Trump prepares to take action on his first day in office, many in the legal community are bracing for swift and aggressive policy changes. There’s talk of cancelling programs that provide protections for certain immigrants, like the Temporary Protected Status, which benefits about 900,000 people from unstable countries.
Attorneys are also keenly aware that the already strained immigration court system could buckle under the pressure of mass deportation efforts. In Kansas City, for instance, there’s a backlog of around 45,000 cases, meaning many individuals could be waiting years for their hearings.
Protecting Rights and Seeking Hope
Despite the uncertainty, attorneys are proactively equipping their clients with information about their rights. Attorneys have begun distributing specially-made Red Cards that clearly outline what to do if approached by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The cards stress that individuals should not open their doors without proper identification and legal counsel.
While many face dark clouds of fear about their future, some attorneys believe the immigration process’s inherent complexities could slow down any immediate plans for mass deportation. “The government is just not set up to do something like that without an amazing overhaul,” McKinney explained.
The Human Cost
Meanwhile, families like Sylvia’s are left to grapple with these anxieties, as they try to stay hopeful for a better future. The thought of deportation weighs heavy, and the impact on their American-born children is impossible to measure. “I’ve been here all my life. My first language is English,” shared a young woman, Jennifer, who fears for her status under DACA. “Thinking of the worst-case scenario, what could I do?”
The atmosphere in Kansas City is charged with uncertainty and worry, as fears of a challenging future loom large over immigrant families. While attorneys continue to advocate for their clients and dispel myths, the very real emotions that Sylvia, Jennifer, and many others experience are driving forces behind the fight for security and peace in a new political landscape.
