Life in a persecuted' migrant community in Texas: For us, a police officer is an enemy'

Lidia and her family have become increasingly isolated at home as more neighbors are detained by local police or immigration agents. She previously walked daily to reach the doctor, shop, or take her mother-in-law to church, but now she avoids going out. She distrusts police, believing that even emergencies like car accidents can lead to immigration checks and detention. In Colony Ridge, an immigrant neighborhood near Houston, arrests have escalated after Donald Trump took office again in January 2025. Neighbors have been deported, homes have been abandoned, and families have been left without adult care when children and relatives were detained. Residents often refuse to share stories due to fear of recognition and further enforcement.

"She used to walk for an hour every afternoon, going peacefully to the doctor, to do the shopping, or to take her mother-in-law to church. Not anymore. She doesn't trust the police either: if she were in a car accident, she'd rather arrive home safely in the damaged vehicle. She lives in Colony Ridge, an immigrant neighborhood 40 minutes from Houston, which for years has been targeted by conservative politicians including Texas Governor Greg Abbott who consider it a magnet for undocumented immigration."

"Since Donald Trump took office again in January 2025, for Lidia, those arrested in her community went from being someone's acquaintance to being her own neighbors and friends. She recounts how the father of the family across the street was arrested and deported to El Salvador a few weeks ago; the house was abandoned as everyone subsequently left. Her neighbor on the corner was hit by a car on a nearby road and the police, instead of helping her, demanded her immigration papers and, since she didn't have any, turned her over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

"Now, when you see a police officer, you go around praying, Lord, make me invisible to the enemy.' We no longer see the police and think, I'm safe.' No. Now, for us, a police officer is an enemy, says Lidia. That's not her real name. She agreed to speak only under a pseudonym because she's afraid of being recognized and detained by immigration authorities. Other residents of this community preferred not to share their stories for the same reason."

Read at english.elpais.com