The intensification of deportation operations targeting undocumented migrants has caused significant anxiety across the United States, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border in California.
The Trump administration is demanding authorities to make at least 1,800 arrests of illegal immigrants every day. Over the past week, raids by enforcement officers have unsettled migrant communities.
"The situation is very critical right now. People are terrorized. With all the videos they see on social media, they're very afraid. I think we should now unite as a community, and we should support each other now more than ever," said Christian Rodriguez, a Honduran migrant.
Some schools in California are stepping in to support migrant families by offering workshops for parents and their children to cope with the new policy.
At one school, relatives have begun taking on the responsibility of picking up children, as many parents, who are undocumented, fear deportation and are hesitant to leave their homes.
"I'm very afraid, and my whole family is. We have relatives and friends who're not even sure about going to work anymore, because of all these things we hear about deportations. And it's also the business owners who will lose. With bakeries, farms, constructions, how will they continue like this if they don't have enough workers?" said another migrant.
The commercial center of San Ysidro in San Diego of California, is situated right next to the U.S.-Mexico border, and is home to numerous businesses owned by Latin American immigrants who are legally residing in the U.S. These businesses occasionally employ people without legal documentation for day jobs like cleaning, cooking or transportation.
With the increase in deportation raids, these businesses are struggling to find workers, as many migrants are afraid to show up for work. However, some cannot afford to miss work and are forced to face their worst fears
"I have some colleagues at work and a lot of friends that I know are extremely worried, and some of them have no choice but to continue with their lives because they have to work. And you know what they say, if their time has come, then so be it. It is what it is," said a migrant.
During his reelection campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to carry out large-scale deportations of illegal immigrants once he took office. After his inauguration on Jan. 20, deportation operations have ramped up in several parts of the country.
Migrants on edge as Trump administration intensifies deportation actions
Migrants on edge as Trump administration intensifies deportation actions
