Immigrants in America

Hours after his inauguration, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at America’s southern border with Mexico. He vowed that "all illegal entry will be halted" and that millions of "criminal aliens" would be deported.

Many undocumented residents in the United States - who have been living, working and paying taxes there for years - are now fearful that they too will be deported. Alejandra was born in Mexico and was brought to the US by her undocumented parents when she was five. She grew up with her siblings in South Carolina “in the shadows” and now has legal status but is afraid for her family’s future.

“My dad is the head of our home,” said Alejandra. “Everything would fall apart. My dad has a mortgage. We would lose the house. It really does alter everybody’s life.”

We also hear from residents in Texas who support President Trump’s actions. Ross Barrera lives in Rio Grande City, which is close to the Mexican border and has seen illegal migrants trying to enter the country on a regular basis.

“Every day we see high speed chases of the border patrol,” said Barrera. “We see folks crossing our highways in the morning when the school buses pick up the kids. We see folks being picked up by border patrol. We see property being damaged.”

Hosted by Krupa Padhy with conversations by Mark Lowen and Luke Jones.

A Boffin Media production with producer Sue Nelson in partnership with the BBC OS team and producers Iqra Farooq, Virginia Kelly and Akwasi Sarpong.
(Photo: Itzayana in Texas. Credit: Itzayana)