Safety and Immigration in the Age of Trump
Story by Melissa Cortes Santiago
Edited by Abigail Vela
It’s only been a little over a week since Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, but it has felt like an entire year has come and gone. Our news cycle is flooded with updates and breaking news of one executive order after another, each more preposterous than the last. Much of the national discourse has centered around border security and immigration. A national emergency has been declared on the southern border, and its militarization continues with the announcement that 1,500 active-duty troops would be deployed to help “secure” it in the coming days. Nationwide ICE raids and deportations have also been announced.
Watching these developments unfold can be both disheartening and deeply personal for those who live in border communities like the Rio Grande Valley. Almost every single one of us knows someone who might be affected, whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. To them, these announcements aren’t just headlines; they shape daily life, fuel uncertainty, and threaten the sense of safety in our community.
“The best way that our community is going to be prepared is by forming community with each other, by communicating and listening to organizations that have led the way on how to prepare, how to act, and how to organize themselves in these difficult times,” said Denisse Molina (she/her), the humanitarian outreach coordinator for Beyond Borders Program at the Texas Civil Rights Project.
These are undoubtedly challenging times, but amid the uncertainty, grassroots organizations are working tirelessly to protect, inform, and empower those most affected. Here are some ways in which you can protect yourself and your community.
Know Your Rights
“A lot of people might think that because they don’t have papers or because they live in a certain neighborhood or because they’re of a certain economic status, the civil rights and human rights that we all have don’t apply to them, and that’s not true,” said Dani Marrero Hi (they/she), co-founder of Ruido Studios. “Every single person has certain civil human rights that need to be upheld.”
As more announcements of ICE raids and deportations trickle down, fear and uncertainty can increase, but understanding your rights and how to exercise them can make all the difference. Whether you are undocumented, a visa holder, a permanent resident, or a U.S. citizen, you are entitled to the following:
- You have the right to remain silent. You are not obligated to answer questions about your immigration status or provide information without legal counsel.
- You have the right to refuse consent to a search. If officials lack a warrant signed by a judge, they cannot enter your home or search your belongings.
- You have the right to an attorney. If you are detained, request legal representation immediately and avoid signing any documents without counsel.
Red cards outlining these rights are available to print out, and you can hand them to an official in the event that you are detained. Several organizations in the RGV also work to inform the community about these rights. La Union Del Pueblo Unido (LUPE) is currently hosting workshops to train community members to defend themselves against possible raids.
“Arming ourselves about our basic human rights and legal rights is of utmost importance. Those are the primary things that we have discussed with our community members. I think that we should not speculate about what may or may not come. All that we can do at this moment is be ready,” said Tania A. Chavez Camacho (she/her), president and executive director of LUPE.
Standing in Solidarity and Speaking Out
While the immediate impacts of these policies fall hardest on undocumented individuals and mixed-status families, allies and community members who are not immediately at risk have a crucial role to play. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we stand in community with each other to amplify the voices of those most affected by these policies. Here are some ways you can help:
- Attend protests and rallies: Show up to support immigrant rights and demand humane policies.
- Amplify voices: Share the stories of those affected by these policies on social media or support local media and organizations, like Ruido Studios and LUPE, working to tell these stories.
- Donate and volunteer: Contribute time or funds to organizations like LUPE or the Texas Civil Rights Project that provide direct support and advocacy for people at risk.
“If we’re talking about how do you help your friend or your sibling or your neighbor, that’s gonna take us building really strong relationships with each other that are based on trust,” said Marrero Hi.
The challenges we’ll face here in the RGV during the next four years are profound but not invincible. Our community has a history of standing together and building grassroots efforts that create meaningful change, even in the most difficult times.
