In recent years, numerous changes to immigration laws have profoundly shaken the migrant community who have built their lives in the United States. Entire families now live under a cloud of uncertainty and fear.
Previously, many undocumented immigrants were able to lead relatively normal lives. They worked honestly, paid taxes, studied and raised their children. Although they didn’t have the full rights of citizenship, they could still hope for a better future.
However, the political climate has changed. An anti-immigration discourse took hold, leading to drastic measures that severely impacted immigrants settled in the US.
Let’s look at some concrete examples of how these changes affect real people, profoundly shaking up their lives:
Pedro, 45, arrived in the USA at the age of 12, fleeing violence in Guatemala. He works in the construction sector and has two children born in the country. With the new rules, he risks deportation after decades of building his life here. He should see an immigration lawyer to assess his options.
Mariana, 32, has lived in the USA since she was a baby. Single, she studied at university and now has a good job in IT. However, he can’t renew his work permit because of the limited quotas. You could lose everything. A lawyer could help you with an EB-2 NIW or even EB-1 visa.
There are also cases like that of Salim, 28. He came as a student from Iran, graduated in engineering and now has an American job and fiancée. But with the new “presidential proclamation”, he can’t get a work visa after graduation. He would be eligible for several EB visas and perhaps for kinship.
These are just a few examples out of millions. Many people who have lived in the US for years now fear leaving home because they could be detained and deported at any time. They live in constant fear of family separation.
Children are deeply affected. Many were born in the United States, but are at risk of losing one or both parents. They suffer from uncertainty and anxiety. Your grades and mental health plummet.
In addition to the human terror, these changes bring major economic losses. Thousands of companies, farms and factories could close due to a lack of workers. Entire communities collapse due to the loss of consumers.
But despite so much suffering, there is still hope. Many Americans are moved by these stories and are fighting for humanitarian reforms. The government has been forced to reverse some measures, and massive protests are demanding justice.
Although the road is long, the American dream is not dead. This nation was forged by immigrants in search of a better life. If there is compassion and political will, these families can come out of the shadows and live with dignity again. For now, they continue to resist bravely, keeping the flame of hope alive in dark times.