“People think ICE is everywhere”: fear keeps hidden immigrants and fleeing

The Immigrant communities in the United States They are experiencing a climate of Fear and uncertainty before the increase in arrests by the Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE). Since the arrival of the new government, rumors on raids and arrests have generated an impact on schools, churches and businesses in cities with a high migrant population, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Charlotte.

The president’s government Donald Trump has intensified its rhetoric on immigration and has implemented measures that, although they do not include massive raidshave resulted in more than 5,000 arrests In approximately a week, according to a report from The New York Times. The fear of deportation has led many people to modify their daily lives and, in some cases, even consider leaving the country.

In Los Angeleswhere thousands of undocumented immigrants They reside and work, commercial activity has decreased significantly. José Anguino, owner of Park Plaza Barber Shop, explained that at times where he would normally have Ten clients served simultaneouslythere was only one. “Everyone is terrified and they don’t want to spend money because they don’t know what can happen,” he said.

Business like First Bargain, a supermarket of Mexican products, have seen a fall in the 30% in sales In just a week, according to its owner, James Kang. “It has not been so bad since the Covid-19 Pandemia,” he told the New York newspaper.

In Charlotte, North Carolinaassistance to churches with high migrant presence has also decreased. Apollo Santos, shepherd of a church of the Assembly of God, said that the Brazilian community is more scared now than in Trump’s previous mandate. “People believe ICE is everywhere,” he said.

Fear has spread to public transport. In San Franciscoa false alert of the presence of Immigration agents In a bus caused the school district to warn the parents. Although the information turned out to be wrong, the episode reflected paranoia in the community.

The new approach of the National Security Department (DHS) has eliminated informal protections that certain institutions such as schools, churches and hospitals They used to have against Immigration operations. This has generated uncertainty among Immigrants They used to consider these places as safe shelters.

According to Thomas D. homangovernment advisor on issues of border securitythe ICE agents Now they can act anywhere, in the same way as other security agencies. “We are not entering and arresting everyone in the building, so the institution should not fear. The one who must fear is the immigrant with a criminal record, ”he said in an interview.

Although the authorities have denied the existence of massive raids, the perception of immigrants is different. In Denver, Coloradosome schools with a high migrant population have registered a reduction in the assistance of up to 10% In the last week. An undocumented immigrant called Martha, 60, said he stopped working as a volunteer in a school due to operative rumors. “My children are already adults, but they still need me. My greatest fear is that they arrest me and separate me from them, ”he said.

Fear has led to numerous false information about ICE operations on social networks and messaging groups. A message at WhatsApp warned drivers about alleged agents on a road near Gastonia, North Carolinawhich increased paranoia.

Also in San Francisco, a high school student claimed to have seen immigration agents on a bus, which led to the school district to send warnings to the parents. However, the city police clarified that there was no ICE activity in the area and that, in reality, they were local officers looking for a lost child.

In the same area, a rumor indicated that agents had entered five Center buildings in search of undocumented jankets. This caused that Hundreds of cleaning workers did not attend their shifts. Olga Miranda, president of the Local Conciemas Union, clarified that the agents were in two of the buildings with an arrest warrant, but not directed to concierge specifically.

To stop the misinformation, the Mexico consulate in Los Angeles published a video in which the consul Carlos González Gutiérrez He said there was no evidence of mass or operative arrests in schools and churches. He explained that the previous weekend, 17 Mexicans with criminal record They were arrested, a number within the usual average. “For now, there is no reason for people to stop doing their normal activities,” he said.

The perception of a greater threat of deportation has led some immigrants to consider returning to their countries of origin. Patrick Garcia, director of the Embace All Latino Voices organization, commented that some people are evaluating the possibility of self-leading.

The government’s strategy seems to be aimed at promoting fear as a way to reduce the presence of undocumented immigrants in the country. John Sandwegformer DHS official in the administration of Barack Obamahe said that the creation of a hostile environment is part of a “self-transport” plan.

For his part, Thomas D. Homan supported this vision, noting that their goal is for people to abandon the country voluntarily. “It would be smarter than those who are illegally here they would leave and return by legal means,” he said.

Meanwhile, proimigrant organizations have urged the community to stay informed and not make decisions based on rumors. Lorena Melgarejomember of the Faith in Action Bay Area network, he recommended that people continue with their daily life, but with caution. “We cannot freeze for fear,” he warned.