"I'm expecting it to be exponentially worse than the first term," Erika Pinheiro, director of the immigrant rights group Al Otro Lado, told Al Jazeera. She expressed that political persecution is poised to intensify, with strong fears of spurious legal challenges aimed at consuming resources and distracting from the advocacy work of immigrant rights groups. The anticipation of an aggressive crackdown indicates a concerning climate for immigrant rights in the near future.
Interviews, campaign speeches and policies suggested by Trump and his advisers indicate an ambition to fundamentally reshape the US immigration landscape. Among the most alarming proposals is a robust campaign of mass deportations and potential threats to established rights like birthright citizenship. This comprehensive strategy to overhaul immigration in the country underscores a crucial battle ahead for immigrant rights advocates and the communities they support.
While not all Trump’s plans are entirely clear, there is a consensus among immigrant rights groups that a significant focus will be a campaign to round up and deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants. They recognize the implications of these initiatives, particularly given the electoral strength of the Republican party and the experience gained from previous confrontations during Trump's first term in office.
The involvement of hardliners like Stephen Miller in key immigration-related positions raises alarms among advocates, as these officials have previously driven controversial policies such as the 'Muslim Ban' and the zero-tolerance approach that led to family separations. The organization and expertise behind these figures reinforce the belief that severe immigration measures could rapidly take effect, leading to a climate of fear and increased vulnerability for immigrant populations.
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