The fear among immigrants with irregular status in New York has intensified, prompting many to withdraw their children from school due to the fear of being arrested on the way to and from classes, amid the promised raids by Donald Trump, which have already begun in the city.
The first raid, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, took place in the Bronx, where an individual accused of kidnapping, assault, and robbery was arrested. Noem expressed in a post the determination to "remove this kind of garbage from the streets," reflecting the approach of the Trump Administration.
In hotels used as shelters for vulnerable families, the atmosphere is filled with fear and concern. Yanira, a Venezuelan mother with three children, has kept her kids out of school for two weeks, explaining: "With so much news of raids, we had a lot of fear for the children's safety."
Rumors and the fear of indiscriminate raids have led mothers like Angelita, of Ecuadorian origin, to withdraw their children from school and face uncertainty about their future housing. The pressure has intensified with the eviction notice from the shelter they have occupied.
The New York Department of Education has taken steps to address the situation, offering guidance to families in case of contact with immigration enforcement. Despite Mayor Eric Adams' assurances of limited cooperation with immigration agents, meetings with key figures like Tom Homan and Donald Trump create distrust among the immigrant community and their advocates.
