US Immigration Raids: Families Torn Apart, Fear Grips Migrant Communities

Immigration raids in the United States are causing widespread family separation and instilling deep fear within migrant communities, according to a recent report by Latinus. The report highlights the severe impact of these operations, particularly those intensified under the Trump administration. One poignant case featured is that of Maria Valeriano, who was deported to Oaxaca, Mexico, after residing in Los Angeles, California, for 35 years. Maria, a mother of three American-born children, was intercepted by an immigration agent before a scheduled court hearing to regularize her status. She was swiftly transferred to a detention center in Los Angeles, where she reported experiencing hostile treatment, a common complaint among thousands of migrants. Maria was deported in less than 24 hours, without an audience or a chance to defend herself, and her family had to send her money to return to Oaxaca. She now faces a 10-year re-entry ban to the U.S. Erika Pérez, Maria's daughter and a firefighter in Fresno, California, expressed profound distress over her mother's deportation, calling it an injustice. Erika, an American citizen, has joined protests against the current immigration policies, emphasizing her right to advocate for her Mexican parents who sacrificed everything for a better life in the U.S. "I am my mom's voice, I am the voice of every immigrant out there," she stated, vowing to continue fighting. The report also features Areli González, a Mexican migrant, and Gabriel Hernández, a U.S. citizen, who formed a family a decade ago and have two children, including a 9-year-old with a disability. They live under constant threat of Areli's detention and deportation, a fear exacerbated by the Trump administration's orders to ICE to intensify arrests in cities governed by Democrats. Areli noted that enforcement disproportionately targets Hispanic and Latino individuals based on their appearance, which she considers racist. Gabriel admitted, "It's scary because I'm working, and she's doing things she needs to do, like errands and going to the stores, and I'm worried that ICE will come and take her away." Juan José Gutiérrez, director of the migrant rights organization 'Derechos Plenos de Migrantes Los Ángeles', explained that the defense of migrants is complicated by the failure to immediately register detentions, making it difficult for lawyers or family members to locate their loved ones. He stressed the immense pressure on authorities to respect due process, highlighting the deep concern within the community when basic information about detainees is withheld. The video concludes by showing various scenes of immigration enforcement, including arrests, fingerprinting, and individuals being led into detention facilities, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by migrant families in the U.S.