US continues crackdown on illegal immigrants

TEXAS: A crackdown on illegal immigrants continues in the United States, with a target to deport nearly 100,000 undocumented individuals.

Immigrant communities across the country are experiencing widespread fear and anxiety. According to details, only six days after US President Donald Trump took office, a strict crackdown on illegal immigrants has been launched under his direct orders.

Reports suggest that so far, more than 2,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested nationwide and deported to their home countries.

Local media reports indicate that President Trump aims to deport approximately 100,000 undocumented immigrants as soon as possible. Currently, there are around 170,000 illegal immigrants residing in the US, with the majority concentrated in the two major states of Texas and California.

However, this situation has not only created panic among illegal immigrants but has also instilled fear among those residing legally on various visas.

Texas, a Republican-majority state, is home to a significant number of undocumented immigrants from Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries.

With the governor’s support, several large detention centres have been established across the state to temporarily hold undocumented immigrants until they are deported.

Meanwhile, the construction of a border wall along the Texas-Mexico border, which was halted after Trump left office, has now resumed at an accelerated pace.

The fear within immigrant communities in Texas is evident, as shown by a recent incident in Fort Worth, where a substitute teacher invited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to raid his school.

The teacher wrote on his X account: “I have many students who cannot even speak English, and they are in 10th and 11th grade. They use their iPhones’ translator to communicate with me.”

This statement has drawn widespread criticism, and officials from the Fort Worth Independent School District have initiated an investigation.

Texas, historically a hub for immigrants from Mexico, heavily relies on immigrants to support its economy, particularly in the construction industry.

According to reports, over one-third of Texas’ construction workforce consists of immigrants. However, recent actions and strict policies have caused significant unrest within these communities.

President Trump’s new executive orders and the construction of detention centres have created challenging conditions for immigrants. Both legal and undocumented individuals now face significant uncertainty regarding their future.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people gathered in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Waco, North Texas, to protest against the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

Despite cold and harsh weather, four separate demonstrations were held in different cities, drawing significant participation.

In Dallas, hundreds of protesters convened at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in West Dallas. Demonstrators carried flags of Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras and held signs with messages such as “No human being is illegal on stolen land” and “Immigrants make America great.”

The Dallas Police Department monitored the protests and ensured that participants followed safety guidelines. Protesters chanted “Si se puede” (“Yes, we can”), a slogan synonymous with immigrants’ fight for rights in the United States.

No arrests were reported as demonstrators marched peacefully, complying with police instructions to stay off the roads. In Fort Worth, protesters gathered near Trinity Park to voice their concerns about immigration policies.

Similarly, a large demonstration took place in Waco near North Valley Mills, where participants carried signs with messages like “Stop family separations now.”

One of the protests in Dallas was organised by a 16-year-old girl through TikTok, which attracted a particularly large turnout.

Protesters criticised the government’s immigration policies and spoke passionately about their struggles and hopes for a fair and humane immigration system.

Many attendees shared their personal stories. One participant, who identified herself as the daughter of undocumented immigrants, tearfully expressed how harmful and divisive the policies felt.

Another attendee in Waco spoke about her family’s 21-year-long struggle to gain legal status, emphasizing the need for more efficient pathways to residency.

Videos of the protests circulated widely on social media, showing peaceful gatherings, protesters waving flags, and police officers monitoring the events.