New federal immigration policy has left Rhode Island immigrants fearful. In response, community members have been calling for increased support from Providence.
On the day of his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to revoke automatic birthright citizenship. He also shared plans for mass deportations and increasing the expedited removals of undocumented individuals.
Since the Trump administration took office on Jan. 20, members of Providence’s immigrant communities have described an atmosphere shift.
“There is so much fear in our community,” Refugee Dream Center Executive Director Teddi Jallow said in an interview with The Herald.
The RDC, which offers services to refugees and immigrants in the Rhode Island area, has seen a sharp decrease in participants, Jallow told The Herald. For instance, adult education classes that used to have between 25 and 50 attendants now draw between 15 and 18 individuals, she said.
Jallow pointed to the new administration as a reason for the decline.
“We are scared that (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) can come in at any time in our office … and get some of our community members and deport them,” she said.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Jallow said the city of Providence could do more to help its immigrant communities. While she appreciates statements of support by government officials, “there is no implementation,” she said. Jallow would like to see government officials work with organizations like the RDC that are affected by the federal government’s actions.
Mayor Brett Smiley’s office stood by its commitment to the city’s immigrants.
“We continue to work closely with community partners to ensure that all individuals have access to the resources and support they need,” Smiley’s Deputy Press Secretary Samara Pinto wrote in an email to The Herald. “Our focus remains on providing essential city services and protecting the safety and well-being of our community.”
Providence and Rhode Island officials have proposed additional protections for undocumented residents and prohibited Providence Police from proactively collaborating with federal immigration authorities.
A., a nursing student who immigrated to the United States from Somalia nine years ago, said that while undocumented immigrants she knows haven’t changed how frequently they leave their houses, she “can see some fear” in them.
To protect against potential retaliation, she requested that only her first initial, A., be used. Several other sources requested that only their first name be shared.
Even those with proper documentation are not fully at ease.
Andry, a Venezuelan father of two young children who arrived in the U.S. roughly two months ago, told The Herald that he feels “relaxed because I have my papers.” He has an I-94 document permitting him to live in the U.S. and hopes to secure a green card next year.
But he added that he “always feels a little bit scared,” as Trump might “do anything” at any time.
Other immigrants feel more comfortable.
“Rhode Island is safety … I don’t have a problem here,” said Momath, a Senegalese immigrant who arrived in R.I. two years ago and has a work permit and Social Security number.
Immigrants have also said that the Trump administration has made it harder to reconnect with family members.
Parasto, who immigrated from Afghanistan four years ago, said that the number of opportunities to see her family has dwindled under the Trump administration. While she is unable to go to Afghanistan to visit her family without risking her asylum status in the U.S., she hopes to reunite with her children in a neighboring country.
“Two months ago, my kids were really happy because they were willing to go to Pakistan” where she would be allowed to visit them, Parasto said in Dari, which was translated by an interpreter.
Her immigration proceedings were previously moving smoothly, but “with the new administration, things are not changing, they’re not going well,” Parasto told The Herald. When Trump took office, she said, “everything stopped.”
Ultimately, many immigrants The Herald spoke to hope to be given the opportunity to build a life in the U.S.
“Many (immigrants) are working (and) nice people,” Andry said. Rather than seeing the difference between good and bad individuals, Trump “sees all immigrants the same way,” he said.
“Let’s not see how Trump is framing refugees or immigrants,” Jallow said. “These people are human beings like you and me. They just need help … so they can live the American dream.”
Lev Kotler-Berkowitz is a sophomore senior staff writer covering city and state politics. He is from the Boston area and is concentrating in Political Science and Economics. In his free time, Lev can be found playing baseball or running around with his dog.
