Families in the Latino immigrant community in Iowa are uneasy about the increased arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants under President Donald Trump, whose stance against illegal immigration was a key aspect of his election campaign last year.
The increase in deportations has increased anxiety among undocumented immigrants living in the US. This is according to leaders of the Latino immigrant community in Iowa, which, census data suggests, is the biggest minority population in the state, at an estimated six percent. The director of Davenport, the League of United Latin American Citizens chapter in Iowa, is Michael Reyes. He says there is great apprehension, uncertainty, and fear among the undocumented immigrant Latino community as a result of the Trump administration.
President Barack Obama added protections for many undocumented immigrants during his administration, although he was also responsible for the deportation of over 2.5 million people. This is more than any of his predecessors throughout US history, federal data has revealed. Since Trump took office in January, immigrant arrests have jumped by a third. Also, the number of arrests of immigrants with no criminal record has doubled, according to an analysis of recent data carried out by USA Today, and the Washington Post.
Latino leaders claim fundraisers are being staged to assist families with the expense of bail and legal costs for family members facing deportation, and programs have been created to educate undocumented immigrants about their legal rights.