EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Four out of five El Paso residents are Hispanic, 22.3 percent were born in another country and 66.4 of the population here speaks a language other than English at home.
That July 24 census data may explain why even U.S. citizens are expressing fear and disgust of being caught up in stepped up immigration enforcement north of the Rio Grande.
“Many times, despite one being a citizen or being in the country legally, there is concern and fear someone is going to accuse us of not being legal,” said U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. “Many people are afraid of what could happen if they don’t have their documents with them” at all times.
Her comments come as some citizens in a nearby suburb on Wednesday reported they were questioned by federal agents about their immigration status and community groups like Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) feel the need to put on “Know your rights” presentations in city neighborhoods.
That is happening as President Trump begins to follow up on his tough rhetoric against illegal immigration with efforts to ramp up deportations. He has freed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from not being able to enforce immigration laws in schools, hospitals and churches and sent troops to the border to help Border Patrol agents keep migrants out.
The White House maintains it is first going after migrants with criminal records, but activists and Democratic lawmakers doubt that.
“With the end of enforcement priorities, everyone becomes a target. This administration wants to have a blank check to go after anybody that they perceive or believe does not have documents,” said Fernando Garcia, executive director of BNHR.
His group’s presentations include detailed explanations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the Constitution, which protect anyone present in the U.S. – legally or not – from unreasonable searches and seizures and the right not to incriminate themselves.
“I know many members of the community are afraid right now,” Escobar said during an online briefing with reporters. “It is important that all persons, undocumented or not, need to know their rights under the constitution and the law.”
She added that a slew of lawsuits from community groups like Las Americas Immigrant and Advocacy Center and local governments like El Paso County will, at least, ensure transparency.
“I am very proud of all the organizations, local and state governments that are suing to prevent egregious overreach we see happening in the Trump administration,” Escobar said. “What lawsuits do accomplish is the ability to get information to create that transparency for the American taxpayer.”
She was referring to the use of military airplanes to repatriate migrants she says are “exponentially more expensive” than using commercial flights. She also wants to know how much it will cost to house migrants at the naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
“Although members of Congress are not able to get in, I do intend on taking a trip to Guantanamo Bay to provide oversight,” she said at her press briefing. “It obviously cannot be a surprise inspection.”
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