Reporting by Naomi Kotani and Gemma Albertson
*Names have been changed to protect source privacy.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, he has implemented many changes targeting immigration, including ones that seek to deport the 13.7 million undocumented immigrants, pause refugee and asylum programs and increase the military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border.
REACTIONS
Across the country, that constant fear of being arrested and deported leads some undocumented immigrants to avoid public spaces. Many of these places were previously considered sensitive locations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such as schools and churches. However, that policy has been rescinded by Trump, so those locations are no longer protected.
“I’m not going out as much as I used to,” said senior and undocumented immigrant *Margaret. “I used to go to church every Sunday, but now I cannot. I don’t feel safe in church anymore. My dad tries to be safe [and] when [he] goes to work, he tries to come in early or tries to work as fast as possible.”
In spite of this, others have continued with their daily routines out of necessity.
“In a way, [I’m] a little bit scared because I’m a human being,” said undocumented immigrant *Walter. “But I have to continue with my life. I have to continue going to work. If it’s my time [for ICE] to get me, okay, I’m here. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear. That’s the way it is, unfortunately, for us immigrants in this country.”
Yet, some believe that an immigration crackdown will benefit the U.S. by changing its priorities.
“America has this view that we should help other countries at all times, but then our country is becoming a mess because of that,” said junior Anna Gevorgyan. “I agree [with Trump] about fixing up our country … [Illegal immigration] either [has a] bad [impact] for us or for [other countries]. And at the end of the day, if you’re an American, you want it to be good for you.”
Another reason that some support deportation is because of the belief that immigrants have higher crime rates. However, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigrants in the U.S. are 30% less likely than white people who were born in the country to be incarcerated.
“I agree with [immigrants who have] a criminal record [being taken] out of here,” Walter said. “But what I don’t like is if [ICE] goes to one apartment building, or they go to a restaurant, they just get [whoever] is in their way.”
EFFECTS ON AMERICA
The consequences of mass deportations are not limited solely to immigrant communities. According to the Joint Economic Committee, if mass deportations continue, by 2028 the United States will have reduced its GDP by as much as 7.8%, prices will rise up to 9.1% higher and the number of workers for key industries will be reduced dramatically, among several other concerns. While it may not seem like it on the surface, many jobs rely on the work of immigrants. For every half million people deported, 44,000 U.S.-born workers will lose their jobs as well.
“I work in consulting,” Walter said. “The owner is a white dude, and he’s very, very nice with us. So imagine his company, [where there] are 35-40 people [working, and] one day, the [ICE] comes and gets all [of] us. [What’s going to happen] with all his customers, all the companies we work for?”
The government would have to spend roughly $315 billion at minimum if every undocumented person is deported at once, and if spread over the course of 10 years, that cost will rise to $967.9 billion, according to the American Immigration Council.
“I understand where [Trump’s] coming from because we don’t want people who are illegally here to stay here,” Gevorgyan said. “But I just don’t agree with getting rid of people who are making a living, because there’s actually people who are trying. They’re paying taxes, so they’re basically like citizens … If you’re paying your taxes, you’re contributing to America, [and] you should stay.”
In 2022, undocumented households paid $46.8 billion in federal taxes and $29.3 billion in state and local taxes. About 8.3 million undocumented immigrants are part of the American workforce, which covers over 75% of all undocumented immigrants in total. Since they contribute majorly to the agricultural and construction fields, work is often backbreaking, with long hours. They also reap fewer benefits when compared to citizens. New American Economy found that, between 2012 and 2018, all immigrants regardless of documentation status contributed, on average, $165 more to the Medicare Trust Fund than was spent on them.
EFFECTS ON IMMIGRANTS
For immigrants who have built their lives in this country, deportation would completely uproot what they have established.
“I feel very disappointed [about Trump’s policies] because I tried my hardest to get good grades, maintain a 4.0, [and] my life [in my native country] would be totally different from what I had here,” Margaret said. “It would be like all of this was for nothing.”
Similarly, sophomore *Ruthie, whose parents are both undocumented, would face struggles.
“[If my parents get deported], it’s a very difficult situation, because my parents are from two different countries,” Ruthie said. “My mom is Guatemalan, and my dad is Mexican, so they would have to be sent back to their respective countries. [So] our plan is to go with my mom, and then [when] we enter Mexico, we [would] live there with my dad … [Our] house [there] is very old … It’s made of stone, and the roof is a rack of metal, [it’s] very muddy, and they live all the way up in the mountains, so it would be pretty hard to [house] all of us there, because [all of my family lives there] so everyone [would be] crammed in a small, little house [and] I don’t think that would work … We’d have a little foundation but we’d have to build up.”
On top of this, many immigrants came to the U.S. to escape dangers in their home country or to pursue better economic opportunities.
“My mom used to live with my dad’s mom and she didn’t like that experience,” Margaret said. “We didn’t have education. It was either work or be a housewife, so my mom decided to go [to the U.S]. [My mom] didn’t go to high school, and my dad [only went to] high school … [My mom] felt very disappointed, so she wanted us to have a better future than what they had.”
With many undocumented immigrants staying back in the U.S., many haven’t applied for citizenship, similar to Walter, who has been in the U.S. for 25 years and hasn’t applied because he has not explored means of naturalization other than through a spouse. But some of his colleagues are in a different situation.
“I have a couple of co-workers who are in trouble with the law,” Walter said. “They were deported and they came back. So now they are afraid they’re gonna get caught [by ICE] … They are the only [ones in their families who] bring the money in for their rent and food. If they get caught, who’s gonna support those kids, the wife and everything?”
PROTECTION
As ICE branches out to cities like San Mateo, there have been multiple efforts put forth by San Mateo County to ensure safety and security for undocumented residents. A board meeting in 2023 passed an ordinance restricting the usage of county resources, such as money, labor or property, to assist ICE or other immigration enforcement initiatives. Restrictions were also placed on sharing personal information about residents, like their citizenship status or country of origin, unless in response to a warrant.
San Mateo County also offers multiple resources about what to do if faced with ICE. If one is confronted by ICE directly or has seen them in their area, the rapid response hotline for San Mateo County is (203)-666-4472. The San Mateo County website has links for legal assistance, information about different pathways to citizenship and even “Know Your Rights” meetings.
“A lot of our role really involves connecting the community, either to information or resources that are available within the county of San Mateo. [We also work] very closely in partnership with community organizations,” said Sarah Feldmen, a presenter and representative of the Know Your Rights program.
Aragon itself has made multiple efforts to ensure students’ safety and their confidence in that safety. Principal Dr. Michael Jones has sent emails regarding students’ rights, as well as the school’s ability to withhold students’ personal information if it comes into question. Flyers have also been put up throughout the school further affirming that every student is still a student regardless of their citizenship status, and will not be treated any differently because of their origins. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects any information a district stores about families’ immigration status, and thus this information can not be given away without parental consent.
Besides the school’s and district’s support, friends have also been supporting those in need.
“I always try to offer [help by saying] ‘my house is always a place you can come if you ever need help [and] my family is always there to help you,’” said *Kiara, a sophomore at San Mateo High School. “I definitely remember I was texting a few of my friends. They told me they were worried about walking to school, and they were worried if they would be approached [so] me and my friends would offer to give them rides to school.”
Immigrants play an important role in America’s story. Trump’s policies targeting immigrants will have detrimental effects on everyone. After all, as President John F. Kennedy famously declared, “Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.”
