President Trump’s first week in office marked a dramatic shift in U.S. history with intensive ICE raids, the passing of many executive orders, and a controversial focus on deporting undocumented individuals.
While conservatives argue this reflects a commitment to law and order, the reality of these raids tells a different story….
These deportations may seem like an enforcement of the law, but their execution raises serious concerns. Targeting individuals at hospitals and law offices (places that should be safety nets) feels unreasonable and inhumane. Breaching attorney-client privilege during raids at places like law offices and legal clinics undermines trust in the justice system, which paints a scary picture of how far these efforts will go.
For many, including friends and classmates of mine who are DACA recipients (or working on getting their papers in order), the fear is evident. I’ve seen the anxiety spread through text messages, shared updates about raids in the area, and sleepless nights worrying about being forcibly separated from loved ones. These are individuals trying to comply with the law, working to get their documentation in order, and striving to build better lives.
What’s worse is the harmful rhetoric that frames immigrants as dangerous “aliens.” This is not only morally wrong but also factually inaccurate. Immigrants often take on the hardest, least desirable jobs, contributing to industries that others avoid; including cleaning bathrooms, working in fields, and construction- all of which positively impact our economy. Demonizing these communities ignores their humanity and the reality of their contributions.
To add to the chaos, within hours of Trump’s inauguration, a cyber shift took place that many saw as a dismissal of non-English speakers in the U.S. The administration removed the Spanish-language version of the official White House website, leaving users who visited https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/ with an “Error 404” message.
The page initially included a “Go Home” button, which directed users to a video montage of Trump during his first term and campaign trail speeches.
While the button was later updated to read “Go To Home Page,” the initial phrasing was interpreted as a message reinforcing Trump’s stance on immigration. There are still no updates or a Spanish version of the site available.
For a country built on the contributions of immigrants, this move was more than just a technical update. It sent a broader cultural and political message. The removal of Spanish resources from the White House site left millions of people, including immigrants working toward legal status, without access to critical information about policies that could significantly impact their lives.
The missing site combined with the “Go Home” phrasing, symbolized an unwelcoming attitude toward the nation's Hispanic population and immigrant communities. It was perceived as an extension of Trump’s campaign rhetoric, which frequently framed immigrants as threats to national security rather than individuals seeking opportunity.
While enforcing immigration laws is a reasonable goal, the methods and messaging used by the Trump administration go far beyond what’s necessary or fair. Picking people up from places like hospitals or breaking into attorney-client relationships isn’t just excessive; it’s a violation of the principles of dignity and respect that should underpin our legal system.
Immigrants are not faceless “others.” They are parents, children, and workers trying to contribute to a better society: they share the same end goal Trump has to ‘Make America Great Again,’ even if it’s by ‘cleaning bathrooms’...
Photo Credit:
[1]-Advocates for Human Rights
[2]-Brookings
[3]- The White House
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