There is uncertainty and fear among migrants with provisional legal status after deportation guidelines in the US

The recent issuance of a memorandum by the interim secretary of National Security of the United States It has generated a wave of concern among immigrants residing in the country under temporary protection programs. As reported The New York Timesthese new guidelines could accelerate the deportation of thousands of people who, until now, had legal permits for work and reside In the country.

The document, issued on Thursday, January 23 at night, instructs the Immigration agents to identify and proceed with the rapid expulsion of those beneficiaries of two initiatives implemented during the administration of Joe Biden.

These policies, designed to manage the situation on the border, have allowed approximately 1.5 million people to obtain Protection against deportation and access to labor permits. However, the memorandum leaves in the air who exactly could be affected, which has increased uncertainty among the Immigrants.

Among those affected are workers that have contributed significantly to key sectors of the American economy. People from countries such as Haiti and Venezuela have found employment in companies such as Amazonauto parts factories for Toyota and Honda, and in services such as hotels, restaurants and assisted care centers. However, the announcement of the memorandum has sown fear between these communities.

Frantzdy Jerome, a 33 -year -old Haitian immigrant, told The New York Times Your concern after knowing the news. Jerome, who entered the country in June after programming an appointment in an entry port in the South borderhe obtained a Work permit SLo later and currently work on a Amazon warehouse in the west.

“The news fills me with fear,” said Jerome, who also has a young son in USA and holds 12 relatives economically in Haiti. As detailed to the environment, many of his co -workers, also Haitians, share their nervousness about the possibility of being Deported.

In a refuge for migrants in New YorkElhadi Youssouf Diagana, an immigrant of Mauritaniadescribed a similar atmosphere of fear. As explained, some residents of the shelter, who work as uber drivers or food distributors, have chosen not to leave the facilities for fear of being arrested. “They are there, they do not move,” said Diagana, 34.

The impact of new guidelines has also felt in cities such as Miamiwhere the Immigrant community It is particularly numerous. Wilfredo O. Allen, an immigration lawyer in the city, said that during a breakfast in a Cuban restaurant, several workers – some of them their clients – addressed him with questions about his legal situation. “Today, in Miami, there is fear,” said Allen.

Immigration experts They have pointed out that the concerns of those affected are justified. Lynden Melmed, the main exassor of the service of United States citizenship and immigrationHe explained that the memorandum makes hundreds of thousands of people who had legally entered the country legally unauthorized immigrants.

“Although they have valid documents that allow them to work and be in the United States, this guide makes them vulnerable to being arrested and arrested at any time,” said Melmed, who currently works at the Berry Appleman & Leiden law firm.

The initiatives of the administration of Joe Biden allowed the entry of people with Temporary status that do not guarantee a direct route towards permanent residence. However, these policies offered the beneficiaries at least two years of deportation protection and the possibility of working legally.

According to The New York Timesthe memorandum issued by Benjamine C. HuffmanInterim Secretary of National Security, seeks to identify for accelerated deportation to those migrants who benefited from these measures.

The change in the guidelines has generated criticism due to the apparent contradiction between the Government actions and the expectations created between the Immigrants. “After they entered fulfilling everything that the government told them, they are now in the same situation as someone who entered illegally,” said Melmed, underlining the complexity and impact of this decision.

The lack of clarity in the memorandum has left many Immigrants in a state of uncertainty. Although some beneficiaries of Biden programs still have protection for one or two more years, tens of thousands who arrived recently could not be covered.

This ambiguity has intensified fear among those who have built a life in USA under the premise that they were complying with government regulations.