MIAMI – Dad and mom round Nora Sanidgo’s giant, rectangular eating desk had lunch earlier than signing paperwork to make the Nicaraguan immigrant a authorized guardian of their kids, entrusting them to her if they’re deported. She gave a listing of what to hold with them: delivery certificates, medical and faculty information, immigration paperwork, her cellphone quantity.
“Speak to your kids and inform them what can occur, allow them to have my cellphone quantity available, allow them to be taught it, allow them to document it,” Sandigo mentioned Sunday.
For the group at Sandigo’s southwest Miami dwelling and for tens of millions in america illegally or with short-term authorized standing, the beginning of Donald Trump’s second time period as president on Monday comes with a sense that their time within the U.S. could finish quickly. Trump made mass deportations a signature challenge of his marketing campaign and has promised a raft of first-day orders to remake immigration coverage.
“You don’t need to be afraid, it’s important to be ready,” Sandigo advised the group of about 20 individuals, together with young children, who watched an illustration of the way to reply if immigration officers knock on their door. “Take precautions wherever you’re.”
Sandigo, who got here to the U.S. in 1988, has volunteered to be guardian for greater than 2,000 kids in 15 years, together with not less than 30 since December. A notary was available Sunday.
Erlinda, a single mom from El Salvador who arrived in 2013, signed authorized rights to her U.S.-born kids, ages 10 and eight. She mentioned she utilized for asylum however would not know the standing of her case.
“I’m afraid for my kids, that they’ll dwell the fear of not seeing their mom for a day, for a month, for a yr,” mentioned Erlinda, 45, who requested to be recognized by first title solely as a consequence of fears of being detained.
Plans for deportation arrests seemed to be in flux after information leaked of an operation in Chicago this week. Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan mentioned on Fox Information Sunday that Chicago was “not off the desk, however we’re reconsidering when and the way we do it.” He mentioned the leak raised issues about officer security.
So-called sanctuary cities, which restrict how native police cooperate with federal immigration authorities, have been a favourite Trump goal, particularly Chicago. Reviews that his preliminary push could be within the nation’s third-largest metropolis introduced a brand new sense of urgency and concern.
Chicago turned a sanctuary metropolis within the Nineteen Eighties and has beefed up policies since, together with after Trump first took workplace in 2017. Final week, the Metropolis Council heartily rejected a longshot plan calling for exceptions permitting native police to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers on deportation circumstances for individuals accused or convicted of crimes.
The Rev. Homero Sanchez mentioned he didn’t understand the depth of concern within the Chicago immigrant group he serves till somebody requested him to deal with the sale of their household’s dwelling and different funds in the event that they are picked up after Trump takes workplace.
“They really feel they’ve been focused for who they’re. They really feel like they’re reviving this concern they’d eight years ago,” mentioned Sanchez, who serves the St. Rita of Cascia Parish on Chicago’s South Aspect. “They’re feeling like one thing goes to occur. This isn’t their metropolis due to the risk.”
Sanchez, whose congregation has consisted principally of individuals of Mexican descent for the reason that Nineteen Eighties, devoted Sunday Mass “to solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
Cardinal Blase Cupich, who leads the Archdiocese of Chicago, mentioned experiences of town being focused by immigration officers had been “not solely profoundly disturbing but additionally wound us deeply.”
“We’re pleased with our legacy of immigration that continues in our day to resume town we love,” Cupich mentioned Sunday throughout a go to to Mexico Metropolis, in line with a replica of his ready remarks.
ICE arrests a fraction of targets in its street operations, although Trump is predicted to forged a wider internet than President Joe Biden, whose give attention to choosing up individuals away from the border was largely restricted to these with severe felony histories or who pose a danger to nationwide safety.
Biden’s administration additionally ended the follow of mass worksite arrests, which had been widespread below Trump, together with a 2019 operation targeting Mississippi rooster vegetation.
Trump aides have mentioned immigration officers will arrest others, resembling spouses or roommates, who should not targets however occur to be within the nation illegally.
___
Tareen reported from Chicago.
Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
