President Trump’s strict immigration policies are frightening the Latino community in Los Angeles. On top of that, many have just lost their jobs due to the wildfires.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA When the wildfires raging in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of buildings, they also took away the jobs of many immigrants.
Some of the immigrants who came to California work as housekeepers and gardeners. Now their employers’ houses are gone.
met the immigrants the president Donald Trump’s on Inauguration Day in Pasadena, where immigrants volunteered to clean up the fire area. The work is coordinated by the non-profit organization of day laborers NDLON.
Undocumented migrants in the construction industry are vital in repairing the damage caused by wildfires, says the organization’s CEO Nadia Marin-Molina.
– There is no way Los Angeles can be rebuilt without migrant labor. It’s impossible, says Molina.
In immigrant communities, Trump’s new term has been awaited with fear. In his inauguration speech, Trump said he would declare a national emergency along the US-Mexico border.
– All illegal border crossers will be stopped, and we will start returning millions of undocumented criminals back to where they came from. We are sending soldiers to the southern border to prevent the conquest of our country, Trump tweeted.
Trump plans to send US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to major cities to arrest and deport illegal immigrants. The plan primarily concerns criminals, but other undocumented people may also be the target of raids.
“I can be converted at any time”
Construction worker Eduardo Sinai is from Guatemala, but his children were born in the United States and are US citizens.
Trump is pushing for a change that will no longer automatically grant the right to citizenship based on birth.
– My children are afraid for me, because I don’t have a residence permit and I can be turned away at any time. I’ve been dealing with the authorities, but so far I’ve been lucky, says Sinai.
Sinai also hopes that Trump would realize how important the contribution of immigrants is to the US economy.
– Everyone knows that this country will collapse in one way or another if the immigrants are deported.
“The border authorities treated them like cattle”
Lived in Los Angeles for over two years Maribel Palacios fled unrest and insecurity in Peru with her son. He cooks Peruvian food for the immigrant community.
– I have a lawyer, but I have been waiting for a work permit for eight months already. That’s not right. We are decent workers and we didn’t come here to do illegal things, says Palacios.
Palacios recounts how he was treated like cattle by border officials after crossing the US-Mexico border in Arizona. According to Palacios, border officials pulled her by the ears and hair, and all her belongings were destroyed except for her passport and other documents.
– I hope that President Trump would decide to give us immigrants from many countries a chance, says Palacios.
In Pasadena, the second managing director of the day laborers’ organization Pablo Alvarado to raise the collective spirit with music and speeches before starting the cleaning tasks.
– Raise your hands, which are full of calluses caused by hard work. They have come from the work we do every day in this country, says Alvarado.
– Today, day laborers lend a helping hand to those who give them work. Isn’t that a beautiful gesture?