“All over the world, they’re taking their criminals and they’re dumping them into the United States.” – President Donald J. Trump, Aug. 29, 2024
Trump’s rhetoric overlooked a critical point: immigrants are more than just what he has labeled them – they are also workers, members of society, mothers, fathers and, most importantly, students.
Research from Stanford University, investigating trends over a 140-year period, concluded that immigrants are 30% less likely to be incarcerated than U.S.-born white citizens and 60% less likely than U.S.-born African American citizens.
“America is like the place of immigrants . . . Everyone wants to come here and get a chance to live better,” said a first-generation Iraqi immigrant mother from the Elk Grove community who asked to remain anonymous. “I feel it’s just a little challenging and hard for those immigrants.”
She shared her story as a sponsored student from a foreign country seeking better opportunities.
“I studied (in the United States) for a PhD, but then we were at the same time being threatened, so we were not able to return to Iraq, so we applied for asylum.”
With her home country facing war threats and violence from extremist groups, returning was not an option. She chose to contribute to her new community through her work.
Immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, paying $96.7 billion annually in taxes, including $33.9 billion toward programs like Social Security and Medicare. Despite this, many are unable to receive the benefits toward which they contribute.
Under the Trump administration’s new executive orders – such as one encouraging schools to monitor and report immigrant students –policies in place now could lead to the persecution of immigrants. Students could face visa revocation if they are suspected of ties to organizations like Hamas or gangs, making their future in the U.S. uncertain.
This has heightened anxiety within the immigrant student population in Sacramento.
“They’re terrified,” one Latina student said. “They’ve built a life here and now they could be sent back.”
The home countries of many of these students face gang violence, lack of freedom and poverty – environments where they cannot easily raise children.
And now, under the Trump administration, the fear of aggressive immigration enforcement is growing.
“It’s only getting worse,” the Latina student said. “Enforcement is more aggressive than before.”
The challenges go beyond immigration issues. “My grandmother couldn’t get an education when she came here,” another student recalled. “She had to work instead of going to school.”
Many immigrant families had few choices – they were shaped by their circumstances.
Lissette Gómez, an immigration attorney with more than 20 years of experience, warned that things are becoming harder for undocumented individuals.
“Everyone is an enforcement priority now,” Gómez said. “Before, it was primarily criminals, but now anyone undocumented is at risk.”
Even with privacy laws in place, Gómez emphasized that many students are vulnerable – even in classrooms.
“If ICE has a warrant, they can still come in,” she said.
As options for avoiding deportation are shrinking, Gómez tells families they need to think through all the possibilities.
“Know your rights,” she said. “Have a plan for your children if detained. Stay out of trouble – something as small as a DUI can lead to deportation.”
