Listen:
President-elect Donald Trump says he will enforce the largest deportation program in history once he takes office. This comes as immigrants are already fearful in Florida.
Trump made the promise while campaigning in Texas.
“Immediately upon taking the oath of office, I will launch the largest deportation program in American History,” Trump said.
And he doubled down after Election Day.
In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump says he will use the military to enforce the mass deportation.
The remark prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to fight back. The ACLU says the policy is “inhumane” and wants Congress to cut funding for immigration enforcement.
But immigrants were already fearful in Florida – a November survey from the University of South Florida says the recent Florida anti-immigration law led to “notable” psychological distress among non-U-S citizens.
Ariel Sepulveda, organizing director with Florida Immigrant Coalition, says the distress has amplified since the election.
“Understandably, there’s a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of fear. There’s a lot of ‘what do we do next?’” Sepulveda said.
Sepulveda talked to a woman scared of what might happen if her temporary immigration status is rescinded.
“To feel that fear, and to feel it very real around the corner, is just tragic to see somebody who is such a leader in the community, who fears that her status would be taken away from her.” Sepulveda said.
But Sepulveda says people have options available.
“Community is everything. Check-in with your folks, and not just checking in with your folks- but connecting to organizations on the ground like ourselves, who can help you with those legal resources,” Sepulveda said.
Florida has the third largest unauthorized immigrant population, behind Texas and California.
Leave a Reply
