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The bitter Christmas of migrants in the US just days before Trump returns to the White House
Uncertainty and fear are gripping immigrant families in the United States, who are predicting a “bitter” Christmas, without gifts or special dinners, and saving up for immigration lawyers just days before Donald Trump returns to the White House, who has promised to begin his new term with mass deportations.
Mexican María Santos’ home in Tucson is one of the few in her neighborhood that does not have Christmas lights or decorations in its yard.
There is no Christmas tree in her living room, much less presents for her two children.
“Trump is a man who loves his country very much, I am sure he will do good things as president. However, unfortunately, he does not want us, he does not want strangers in his country, people like us whom he has even called criminals,” Santos told EFE.
The undocumented Mexican migrant is convinced that Trump will make life “impossible” for migrants, especially those like her.
Every weekend, the migrant sells at a market in Tucson, but sales have plummeted. She believes many families are afraid of the measures Trump might take and are saving their money.
Her husband was detained in 2013 and later deported to Honduras. He returned to apply for asylum, spending more than two years in a detention center in Arizona before being deported again.
Santos says she has endured everything for her children, both American citizens, one of whom has autism.
“In Mexico, he would never have received the treatment and therapy he has needed and still needs to be self-sufficient,” she lamented.
To top it off, the owner of the house asked him to vacate because he sold the house, and also raised the rent from $800 to $1,300 a month.
“This was the cheapest house I could find, they allowed me to keep my dogs and they didn’t ask for as many requirements as checking their credit,” she recalls.
She also said that it broke her heart that her eldest daughter fears that Trump wants to “take away” citizenship from the children of undocumented immigrants.
“I ask my God and the Virgin to enlighten Trump to do something for us too, perhaps immigration reform,” said Santos, who has been in the country for 22 years.
Let them deport, but only the criminals
The family of Mexican Carlos Martinez is also “tightening their belts” and saving in case they need an immigration lawyer, among other expenses.
“This time we won’t have a Christmas celebration, my children know there won’t be any presents, nor a big dinner,” Martinez told EFE.
His greatest fear is that he will be arrested and his wife and three children will be left without financial support.
“I’ve been living in this country for ten years, I have a clean record, I know I may not be a priority for Trump, but what if it’s my turn?” she said.
Martinez works in construction and cleans yards. But like Santos, he says work has been declining as prices have risen.
His wife sells empanadas and tamales to help.
Both say they do not understand the “hatred” that Trump and his followers have against migrants who, like them, only come to work, raise their children and live a peaceful life.
“We know that there are migrants who come and have a criminal record or who commit crimes, gang members, however they cannot judge everyone for the acts of a few,” said the man.
He said that no one wants or protects a criminal , and that they should be deported.
“However, those of us who are good citizens should be given the opportunity to stay with our families. We do not harm anyone, on the contrary, we contribute to our communities,” said the father of this family who does community work with his church.
Activists say migrant families are going through difficult times and urge them to have their personal documents and those of their children on hand, such as birth certificates.
“There is a lot of fear, some of them are even thinking about leaving the country and returning to their countries of origin,” Petra Falcón, director of Promesa Arizona, told EFE.
Falcón recommended that families have a signed power of attorney so that a family member can take charge of their finances and their children in case they are arrested.
“We don’t know what will happen, but I think these will be very difficult times for our migrant community,” Falcón lamented.
