Arizona’s undocumented population must brace itself

Ruben Martinez Garcia

Submitted photo

The Trump administration clarified that their attacks on undocumented immigrants mean either a fight for public safety and the rule of law. In his broadcast interview, President-elect Trump speaks exclusively with NVC News’ Kristen Welker, his response as to why he must deport undocumented immigrants was, “Well, I think you have to do it … you have rules, regulations, laws.”

The official White House Instagram account posted recent ICE arrests, displaying undocumented immigrants’ mugshots along with their criminal records. The caption reads: “Under President Trump’s leadership, ICE agents are working tirelessly to protect our communities. From child rapists to suspected ISIS terrorists, here are some of the worst.”

But a closer look at recent attacks on undocumented immigrants exposes their cruel nature. Arizona must heed these stories because they underscore how the population of over 200,000 undocumented migrants are vulnerable.

Highlighting the cruelness of targeting  undocumented immigrants is a story of a California couple. In an article by Josh Dubose, California couple deported after living in US for 35 years, he reports that Nelson Gonzalez and Gladys Gonzalez, regardless of numerous efforts to stay in the country legally, Customs Enforcement concluded, “were ultimately in violation of immigration law.”

They were arrested without a criminal record. Stephanie, their daughter, says that her “parents have been traumatized by everything that’s transpired” and that they will support their parents’ new life in Colombia.

Appalling is also the story of Kevin Zaldaña Ramírez. In How Trump’s Targeting of Immigrants With Legal Status Departs From the Norm, the Marshall Project tells the story of Zaldaña, who had the right to be in the U.S. because he was “fleeing gang recruitment in El Salvador.” 

Rather than being understanding of the difficult situation Zaldaña is in, his mother said the “arresting officers said his case number was ‘fake.’” As noted in ‘My son is no gangmember’: ICE alleges Houston immigrant with legal status detained in gang enforcement activity by Anna-Catherine Brigida, it did not even matter that Zaldaña also provided his Social Security number. 

Unlike Gladys and Nelson, Zaldaña remained in America. However, the arrest came with a financial burden: a “$3,000 bond,” made more difficult by the fact that “[Zaldaña’s] family had no way to pay it since they rely on his income.”

A recent development only makes matters worse for the undocumented population. From CBS News’s U.S. to revoke legal status of more than a half-million migrants, urges them to self deport, the following has been reported: “The Trump administration will be revoking the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Latin American and Haitian migrants welcomed into the U.S. under a Biden-era sponsorship process.”

Under this administration, people are being wronged, no matter if they did anything wrong.

Arizona, with its high undocumented population, must brace itself. The atrocities discussed here indicate that no undocumented immigrant is truly safe. 

Thankfully, there are two avenues to take.

One is to know your rights. Consider Prop 314: Arizona's bold immigration experiment by Phoenix attorney Joshua Kolsrud, who details how to keep yourself and your family safe. 

Second, remember that what we believe matters. From a post by CBCTheNational’s White House says anyone who enters U.S. illegally is a 'criminal’ a reporter asked about recent ICE arrests and who arrested had criminal records. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, “All of them, because they illegally broke our nation’s law, and therefore they are criminals, as far as this administration goes … So, it’s a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as criminal, but that’s exactly what they are.”

While the content is heartbreaking, its implication is liberating. It means that how we view undocumented immigrants can change how we treat them. Advocating for them by saying they deserve to be here is a step in the right direction. 

Whatever route taken, remember: If we do not take action against the attacks on those who are undocumented, then they will be subject to trauma, hardship and living in fear. 

Editor’s note: Arizona native Ruben Martinez Garcia holds a degree in English with a concentration in rhetoric from Arizona State University. He lives in Tolleson. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.