How immigrants prepare to stay in the U.S. under Trump
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Advocacy groups from Utah to Massachusetts have held "Know your rights" trainings to teach immigrants how to protect themselves, their friends, and their families from Trump's promise to begin deportations on his first day in the office.
The Associated Press has collected some of the advice.
The efforts are underway in immigrant-friendly states such as California and Illinois — both of which enacted protections for immigrants in response to Trump's focus on enforcement during his first term — and in states with stricter laws affecting immigrants, such as Florida.
"We already know this administration.The truth is we don’t know to what extent it will affect us," Winston Leiva said.
Human rights advocates are also urging those eligible to complete applications for US citizenship or other immigration benefits by next year to avoid potentially long waits under a new administration that appears to be focused on immigration control rather than integration.
Connecticut Students for a Dream, an advocacy group for undocumented youth, recently held a session in Danbury, a town with immigrants from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and other countries. Organisers warned that you do not need to talk to immigration agents if they knock on your door.
Make a plan for someone to look after your children if you are arrested. Do not open the door unless the authorities serve you with a signed court order. And above all, exercise your right to remain silent.
Immigrant advocates hold sessions at high schools in New Haven, Connecticut.
"A lot of kids have questions, especially kids from mixed families. They are really scared (of Trump's deportation plan — ed.) and want to understand their rights," said Rachel Doft, director of legal services for the Integrated Refugee and Immigration Service.
Previously, the Trump campaign has announced plans for the president-elect to initiate the largest deportation program in U.S. history during his second term, though concerns persist about how individuals will be located and detained.
