Since President Donald J. Trump took office on January 20, it has become apparent that he cannot keep his name out of the news—and not in a good way. Hundreds of executive orders have been signed by a president who “cares” about the people, but the administration that he leads has shown nothing but un-American values that will destroy a country founded upon hopes and freedoms. The increasing numbers of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers that are appearing in neighborhood communities are causing terror for the millions of immigrant families that reside in the U.S. The U.S. that was founded on freedom, liberty, and justice, the country that many come to in order to create a new life of opportunity, is in danger. In order to stop a path of destruction, we need to take action.
My family, much like every family in the nation, was formed by immigrants. My great-grandfather, who originally worked in the United States through the Bracero Program, an agreement between the U.S. and Mexico that allowed Mexican citizens to work in the U.S. on short-term contracts, inspired my grandfather to immigrate to the U.S. and become a steelworker in South Chicago. My grandmother raised four children from strawberry fields in California to the Chicago suburbs. My family worked hard, like millions of immigrant families, to earn their place here. Families like mine have fought for hundreds of years to earn their right to be American citizens, surpassing the threats of mass deportations.
The xenophobic measures being taken against immigrants from Latin America displays the racism that is embedded in the Trump administration, which has continued since his first term with his unfinished border wall. Specifically targeting the southern border and immigrants who “look the type” is further evidence of the disgusting racism that still bleeds in our country—a country built on the backs of immigrants. Our communities like Little Village, Back of the Yards, Pilsen, Cicero, and more are built by immigrants who have left their families and livelihoods in their countries of origin to find futures for their families to thrive in the U.S. Many search for opportunities that the U.S. has to offer, but now they are met with racism, discrimination, and a country that is failing them.
The deletion of the CBP One app that was created by President Biden under his administration was a devastation to those waiting for appointments to enter the U.S. legally or get an appointment to begin the process. When the app was deleted, so was their hope to request asylum. Anyone who uses the excuse that immigrants should come here “legally” does not understand the hardships that immigrants face while trying to do so, and a discriminatory president erased the hopes for thousands of people to be able to become American citizens and have a chance at the freedom they deserve.
On average, the total amount that it will cost an undocumented immigrant to gain citizenship is around $1,170 since 2020, reported by USA Today. During the same time that these prices skyrocketed, they also eliminated a fee waiver that many would utilize if not able to afford the full cost of becoming an American citizen. This does not include the cost of affording an immigration lawyer and the years of waiting for citizenship.
A country whose morals is founded on being a “melting pot” of different cultures and people has seemingly become more senile and corrupted by the Trumpism that has infected this country since the current president first ran in 2016. It is truly a disgrace to say that the country I used to be proud to live in has done nothing but tear down the people whose economies, homes, communities, and livelihoods were built on.
In order to end the threats of mass deportations, consider calling your representatives to continue the fight against Donald Trump and his gross misuse of public office against those who have put food on his table, who have dry cleaned his suits, and who have built his Trump Towers.
I love my country, but I love democracy and the freedoms this country has offered more. Please consider reaching out to a representative to take action against ICE raids and hate against immigrants and undocumented citizens.
