1 / 11Trump’s Return to Power: On Sunday, Nora Sandigo hosted a gathering at her Miami home, where immigrant parents signed documents to appoint her as a legal guardian for their children in case they were deported. Sandigo, who has volunteered to be a guardian for over 2,000 children in 15 years, explained to the group what essential documents to carry, such as birth certificates, medical and school records, and immigration papers. She also provided her phone number and advised the parents to make sure their children had it memorised, emphasising the importance of being prepared in the face of potential deportation. (AP Photo)
2 / 11Preparing Children for the Unknown: “Talk to your children and tell them what can happen,” Sandigo urged the parents gathered in her home. She stressed the necessity of teaching children how to respond to the uncertainty they might face and remember her contact details. “Let them have my phone number on hand, let them learn it, let them record it,” Sandigo said, underscoring the importance of preparation. (AP Photo)
3 / 11Uncertainty Looms for Immigrant Families: For families like Sandigo’s, the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term as president signals an uncertain and fear-laden future. Trump’s presidential campaign has consistently highlighted mass deportations, a focus he has maintained as he enters his second term. He has promised to issue a series of executive orders on his first day in office to reshape US immigration policy, including actions aimed at deporting millions of individuals living in the country without permanent legal status. (AP Photo)
4 / 11Taking Precautions in the Face of Fear: Sandigo, who moved to the US in 1988, spoke to the group of around 20 people, including small children, about how to prepare for possible deportation. She demonstrated what to do if immigration officers come to the door, encouraging families to take precautionary measures wherever they are. “You don’t have to be afraid, you have to be prepared,” Sandigo told them, offering reassurance amidst the palpable fear in the room. (AP Photo)
5 / 11Guardianship for Vulnerable Children: Among those present was Erlinda, a single mother from El Salvador, who arrived in the US in 2013 and is awaiting a decision on her asylum case. Erlinda signed documents granting Sandigo legal rights to her two children, aged 10 and 8, both born in the US Erlinda expressed the anxiety she feels as she faces the possibility of being deported. “I am afraid for my children, that they will live the terror of not seeing their mother for a day, for a month, for a year,” she said. Due to fears of being detained, Erlinda asked for her surname to be withheld. (AP Photo)
6 / 11Deportation Plans in Flux: In the midst of these preparations, news of a potential large-scale deportation operation in Chicago sparked renewed concern. Reports indicated that the operation, which had initially been planned for this week, was delayed after details were leaked to the media. On Fox News, Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” stated that Chicago was “not off the table, but we’re reconsidering when and how we do it.” He cited the safety of immigration officers as the main concern, as the leak raised questions about the potential risks of such operations. (AP Photo)
7 / 11Sanctuary Cities Face Scrutiny: Sanctuary cities, which limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities, have been a key target of Trump’s administration. Chicago, one of the largest sanctuary cities in the US, has long been a focal point for Trump’s rhetoric. The city adopted sanctuary policies in the 1980s and has only strengthened them since. Most recently, Chicago’s City Council voted against a proposal to allow local police to assist federal immigration agents in deportation efforts for individuals accused or convicted of crimes. (AP Photo)
8 / 11Fear Among Chicago’s Immigrant Community: Rev. Homero Sanchez, a Catholic priest who serves a parish on Chicago’s South Side, works closely with the city’s immigrant community, most of whom are of Mexican descent. He shared that the community’s anxiety has intensified as deportation threats grow stronger. In one instance, a parishioner asked Sanchez to handle the sale of their home and manage their finances in case they were arrested after Trump took office. Sanchez noted that many immigrants feel targeted simply because of their identity, with the fear of deportation bringing up painful memories of similar threats during Trump’s first term. (AP Photo)
9 / 11Church Responds to Growing Fear: During Sunday Mass, Rev. Sanchez dedicated his sermon to expressing solidarity with immigrants. He acknowledged the deep-seated fear in the community, with many wondering if their city would still feel like home in light of growing immigration enforcement. Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, also weighed in on the situation. In a statement made during a visit to Mexico City, Cupich condemned reports of raids targeting immigrants in Chicago, describing the situation as “profoundly disturbing.” He reaffirmed the city’s pride in its legacy of welcoming immigrants, calling it an essential part of the city’s identity. (AP Photo)
10 / 11Trump’s Broader Deportation Strategy: Under Trump’s administration, deportation strategies are expected to expand beyond those with criminal records or security risks. While President Biden’s focus was mainly on detaining individuals with serious criminal histories, Trump’s approach is likely to cast a broader net, targeting not just individuals with criminal backgrounds but also spouses, roommates, or other individuals who happen to be in the country illegally. This shift in focus raises fears that many who had previously been safe under Biden’s policies could now face deportation. (AP Photo)
11 / 11ICE’s Controversial Operations: One of Trump’s notable tactics during his first term was the widespread use of mass worksite arrests, such as the controversial operation in 2019 that targeted chicken processing plants in Mississippi. Trump aides have indicated that this kind of operation will resume, and that immigration officers will conduct raids beyond the usual targets, apprehending people who are not necessarily the main subjects of deportation orders but happen to be living in the US without legal status. This signals a return to aggressive tactics aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, heightening fear across immigrant communities. (AP Photo)
