“Trump’s immigration orders worry immigrants”—that’s the sentiment you’ll hear when discussing this latest wave of directives from the White House. In a move that’s prompted both applause and alarm, President Donald Trump has issued several orders giving more federal agencies the power to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants, broadening the scope far beyond what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could do alone.
Big Changes for Immigration Enforcement
Among these new instructions, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service are now authorized to enforce immigration laws as well—similar to ICE and the FBI. The rationale is to reduce ICE’s heavy caseload while ramping up immigration arrests across the United States. In fact, ICE has been tasked with detaining between 1,200 and 1,500 people daily. However, as Trump’s immigration orders worry immigrants, critics question whether resources exist to support such a massive operation.
complex Reactions on the Ground
For many in immigrant communities, fear of sudden raids and the possibility of family separation has stirred panic. Even small rumors of enforcement activity can lead to people staying home from work, sending kids to school late, or skipping doctor’s appointments. One farmworker in Kern County recounted how she took a day off after a Border Patrol operation—before Trump took office—appeared to target laborers. But with bills to pay and children to feed, she returned to work despite the fear. These everyday hardships show Trump’s immigration orders worry immigrants in practical ways, affecting their routines and mental well-being.
complex Reactions on the Ground
For many in immigrant communities, fear of sudden raids and the possibility of family separation has stirred panic. Even small rumors of enforcement activity can lead to people staying home from work, sending kids to school late, or skipping doctor’s appointments. One farmworker in Kern County recounted how she took a day off after a Border Patrol operation—before Trump took office—appeared to target laborers. But with bills to pay and children to feed, she returned to work despite the fear. These everyday hardships show Trump’s immigration orders worry immigrants in practical ways, affecting their routines and mental well-being.
