Summary
Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign has reignited fears among undocumented migrants with promises of “mass deportations” and migrant communities are bracing for uncertainty and a new wave of nativism.
His administration plans to target those deemed public safety or national security threats, potentially reinstating workplace raids and using military resources.
Advocates warn that “collateral arrests” could sweep up migrants without criminal records.
Many, like “Dreamers” protected under DACA, fear family separations, while others, such as Carlos in NYC, hope Trump’s economic policies might benefit them.
“A lot of Latinos, those who can vote, did so because they think he [Trump] can improve the economy. That would be very good for us too,” said Carlos, an undocumented Mexican who lives in New York City.
They will grab anyone they can get their hands on. Criminals will have the advantage that they know how to hide, and there are way more non-criminals, so Jose Average will be picked first, being the easiest target to fulfill the quota.
Also while some peoples definition of criminal is “murderer” or similar some peoples definition is closer to "you did or a relative did something not 100% legal in the last generation or two.
edit: some peoples definition of criminal will definitely include unhoused or non-land owning eventually