Get Ready, Trump's Back: What Immigrants and Communities Need to Know

Being an immigration lawyer, I've seen it all under Trump's first term. From airports to churches, we've fought back. But day one of Trump's return is just around the corner. We can't wait for that day. The first Trump term was tough. Immigrant activists led the fight, but they paid a heavy price. Deportations were chaotic and harsh. Now, we have to protect as many people as we can before Trump takes office again. Protection isn't simple. About 28 million people in mixed-status families have no clear path to status. Congress hasn't changed immigration laws since 1996. But some immigrants have valid applications or temporary protections. The Biden administration should speed up processing these before Trump's inauguration. States and localities need to act fast too. They'll feel the weight of Trump's policies. During his first term, federal agents used local resources for severe policies. Communities were torn apart. Tom Homan, Trump's pick for mass deportations, promises more raids and self-deportations. States and localities can safeguard their residents. Some are passing laws to stop local resources from being used for deportations. California is leading this with new laws. States and localities need to be brave and draw clear lines between local and federal enforcement. This can make communities safer and protect economies. We can't afford to wait and see what Trump does. We know his track record. Immigrants are a crucial part of this country. They've been seeking protection and advocating for pro-immigrant laws. Now is the time to take action.