During his election campaign, US President Donald Trump emphasized large-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants, and since taking office, ICE arrests have significantly increased. His administration has also removed restrictions that previously prevented ICE from operating in places like schools, churches, and hospitals.
Amid growing concerns, Indian American influencer Vidya Gopalan shared on TikTok that, despite being a US citizen, she always carries her passport and advises her family to do the same, particularly due to their accents. Axios reported that a lawyer also recommended her children, who hold US passports, keep them on hand because their Nigerian last names might make them vulnerable.
International students in the US have also started keeping copies of their documents readily available. A University of Michigan Ph.D. student from India mentioned that while it may seem like a small action, it provides a sense of security.
As of June 2024, the US is home to more than 5.4 million people of Indian descent. With an estimated 11.7 million undocumented immigrants in the country, Trump has pledged to deport millions. Immigration lawyers advise foreign nationals to carry proof of their legal status to avoid complications.
L.J. D’Arrigo, head of the immigration practice at Harris Beach Murtha, noted that industries employing seasonal migrant workers, such as hospitality and manufacturing, could be particularly affected, regardless of workers’ legal status.
The Trump administration is also expanding the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to detain immigrants for ICE. Trump’s border advisor, Tom Homan, has suggested further broadening this program to include street-level task forces. This approach, previously discontinued under President Obama due to racial profiling concerns, has resurfaced with plans to streamline detention facility regulations and expedite officer training.
With over 8,000 arrests since Trump’s inauguration, concerns over immigration enforcement continue to escalate, affecting both undocumented and legal residents across the country.
