As the founding fathers proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, “All men are created equal.” However, that sentiment does not seem to embody immigrants, according to the new administration.
On Jan. 20, after taking office, Trump began his strong-armed siege of Capitol Hill.
His authoritarian-esque campaign has since heightened concern with many courts barring his trigger-happy executive orders and even states suing Trump and his cabinet.
America holds its breath as minority rights are stripped at a frightening pace.
The continued target of human rights violations has been the immigrant community. Trump’s harsh tactics and resolve to rid the country of “illegal aliens” have created widespread fear and hysteria.
With many immigrants being forced to stay at home or otherwise being detained, many question who is the next to go.
The right has unified, viewing non-whites, immigrant or not, as a threat.
Outrageous claims of heinous crimes committed by these said communities have conglomerated the minority into a common enemy.
Propaganda spewed by far-right news sources has further promoted the agenda, portraying outsiders as a threat.
Notably, during Trump’s bid for the presidency, he made the appalling claim that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating pets.
In this way, a strong connection can be drawn to the likes of the fear-mongering tactics used by fascist regimes, who have historically labeled the minority as a purge of society.
A pertinent argument within the right-leaning community is that one must obtain citizenship legally and through the proper channels in order to enjoy United States citizen privileges.
This falls short as the crackdown on immigrants increasingly infringes on their ability to gain citizenship.
Even historically safe havens have fallen victim to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) reach. Policies that forbade ICE from entering and conducting immigration related raids in sensitive places such as churches, schools, and medical facilities were abandoned by Trump.
This poses a serious threat to human safety and concerns.
Many are being forced to stay inside their homes due to the fear of being detained by ICE.
Those who require and seek medical assistance are unable to step outside as friends and neighbors start to inform ICE of their whereabouts.
Classrooms primarily composed of immigrants are becoming increasingly vacant.
Neighborhoods are becoming quieter. The crying silence of injustice is growing from a whisper to a shout.
Even the claim that immigrants must be granted U.S. citizenship in order to continue their lives falls short. Numerous reports of immigrants being detained at mandatory meetings to get citizenship are increasing daily.
Pathways to legally becoming a citizen are becoming increasingly more difficult.
Many cases take years to gain full citizenship. Even then, many people who apply to be legally admitted into the U.S. are being faced with the reality of their applications being terminated by Trump.
The evidence reveals itself: the illegal immigrant protesters don’t care about people immigrating legally; they care about keeping any immigrant out of the country.
This information would at any other period of time be shocking; however, in the reality the U.S. currently faces, it is nothing more than a daily occurrence.
Immigrants as a whole have never been an issue in the United States. While the absurd claims of mainly immigrants committing crimes run rampant, the truth of the matter is that most of the time these said “criminals” are attempting to live a better life. America advertises itself as the land of opportunity and change, but when those who seek that promise are being thrown out of the country, America only seems to shoot itself in the foot.
In fact, immigrants have made some of the most notable and beneficial impacts on American society. Some of the richest and most successful businesses were founded by immigrants or their children. For example, South American immigrant Elon Musk is currently the richest man in America, as well as being the leader of DOGE.
The common immigrant also occupies much of the workforce that is in desperate need of coverage, such as construction, medical, agriculture, and technological fields.
The purging of immigrants from communities poses a huge threat that will backfire for the administration.
Many experts who have weighed in on the situation say that the American economy is heavily dependent on immigrant labor. Without their presence, many industries would find themselves at a loss, leading to inflation higher than the currently ballooning rate.
The issue, as it happens, is not immigrants themselves.
They are not the provokers.
It is the deep-rooted racism and xenophobia that have persisted in America since its conception.
The unfortunate reality is that this mistreatment of “foreigners” has become a part of the American identity.
White illegal immigrants are far less likely to face public outcry for their actions.
In some cases, they are put on a pedestal and continue to stay in the country. One of the most famous examples is Anna Delvey, who scammed the New York elite out of their fortunes. Despite being a convicted criminal, she has become an internet sensation and continues to thrive in New York, even being granted a social security number.
Trump’s actions have not only emboldened hate crimes but sanctioned them.
Amazon has reported a spike in the purchase of fake ICE costumes as more people take it upon themselves to cosplay ICE agents, essentially hating against people of color.
The implications of these actions are far beyond the average citizen. Immigrants are being shipped, much like dogs in crates, to Guantanamo Bay. A prison notorious for the abuse and injustice that prisoners endure there.
It is vaguely reminiscent of a past leader whose overzealous control of a democracy led to the imprisonment of millions of humans due to their race.
These are not “aliens” that are invading the country. These are family and friends seeking opportunities.
There should be pride in the people who have, since day one of American history, built this country from the ground up.
Deporting them is purely self-inflicted blindness rooted in ignorance.
A dystopian future looms ahead, and as true Americans attempt to combat that, the system actively works against those whom they deem unworthy of the American dream.
The 14th Amendment was passed to guarantee citizenship to all those who are born in the United States as well as grant equal protection under the law.
However, the amendment seems to fly high over the heads of those in the Oval Office and even those within the country.
The real crime being committed is the lack of empathy and humanity in the situation.
These are human lives.
However, humanity has its moments. Everyday citizens are beginning to report ICE patrols in their communities, alerting those to stay inside when needed.
Teachers are preparing where to hide their students when ICE starts to raid their schools. immigrants and those around their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. The federal government is being sued by thousands in protest of this heinous act of inhumanity and the vile nature of immigrant treatment. Many have taken to social media calling for change, and many states and cities are setting up bills and laws to prevent workers from having to comply with ICE. Activists are teaching immigrants and those around their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.
The federal government is being sued by thousands in protest of this heinous act of inhumanity and the vile nature of immigrant treatment.
Many have taken to social media calling for change, and many states and cities are setting up bills and laws to prevent workers from having to comply with ICE.
This is the kind of response to hate that is needed for positive change.
Leadership needs to represent our country as a beacon of hope and a haven for those fleeing persecution, just as when America was founded.
The citizens of this country need to act as humans and learn to embrace our proverbial brothers and sisters regardless of their origins.
It doesn’t say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty. America needs to stop acting like it does.
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