President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations has thrown Texas' undocumented population—estimated at 1.6 million—into a state of fear and uncertainty. Community activists and families worry about the looming threat of being uprooted from their lives in the U.S.
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Fear and anxiety have heightened in Texas, home of an estimated 1.6 million illegal immigrants, following President-elect Donald Trump's election and his pledge of mass deportations. Based on Pew Research Center statistics, the state's illegal population accounts for 15% of its immigrant population and makes 8% of its workforce contribution.
A 41-year-old Dallas activist who stays nameless to evade deportation talks of restless nights marked with fear. "People take for granted how beautiful it is to be free," he observed. Usually hiding his unauthorized status from most people, he is a co-founder of an organization supporting Latino civic involvement.
50-year-old illegal mother of two U.S. citizens Susana Herrera of El Paso stated, "He is coming with more force, more power." Her comments capture general anxiety among immigrant groups as Texas officials get ready to work with Trump's government.
Officials from the state, including Governor Greg Abbott, have expressed their readiness to assist with federal deportation initiatives. While Trump's nominee for immigration enforcement, Tom Homan, verified intentions to use the location, Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham even offered state land as a staging area for deportations.
Proponents such as Zaira Garcia of FWD.us caution that Texas is probably going to become "ground zero" for immigration enforcement, therefore many people have to face the prospect of being cut off from their homes and lives.
The uncertainty has caused both anxiety and resolution in undocumented Texans to face their future difficulties.
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