As of Monday, January 20, Donald J. Trump returned to office as the United States President. In his short time back in office, a variety of executive orders have been instated, many of which will affect the majority of the immigrant population within the country. 

From the attempt to end birthright citizenship, to the declaration of a state of emergency in the Southern border, many communities have felt a level of hostility. In an emotional video taken at the border, one can see the first hand effects of the cancellation of the Customs and Border Protection One App in which they were able to schedule appointments searching for asylum in United States borders.

This same reaction could be seen back in November when the announcement that Parole In Place, P.I.P, a government program to keep mixed status families (families with both citizens and non-citizens) together, would be shut down.  

P.I.P was a two-branch program able to help many families stay living together in the United States, and although the program was maintained for military personnel, the branch not applying to those serving has now been terminated; thus keeping many  mixed status families from maintaining a possibly legal residence. 

Jose Perez, a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, explained his experience with the legal program that has helped him maintain his family together as well as his reaction to the ending to the second part of the program. 

¨I remember the first time I met my recruiter. I had done some research online about P.I.P and after learning some new information my parents invited [him to our home. We talked for hours…[and] after asking if he could guarantee my helping my parents I signed that very day,” Perez explained. 

Perez, like many children of immigrants, have used resources and programs like that of P.I.P in order to keep their parents safe from deportation through government action, therefore like many, his reaction to the ending of P.I.P caused a sense of alarm. 

“I was informed the very same day it happened as I was sitting in my kitchen,” Perez began, continuing “honestly I was scared as thoughts ran through my head. Like what if I never joined the military, what about my aunties, friends, fellow [first] generation kids, and if they’re willing to get rid of the civilian one are they willing to get rid of the military one?”

With the growing fear and confusion experienced these past few days within the immigrant community, an anonymous Communications and Media major at Grand View University explained the importance of remaining educated and alert to the changing systems. 

He moreover mentioned the personal, and community effects and feelings already felt within the immigrant community- sharing the shock felt among campus peers in regards to executive orders passed by the President.

“I came to the U.S. at two years old. My experience growing up was quite average similarly to the rest of my peers. Iowa is all I have ever known. I have grown up here, I know the areas, I know the people. This is my home as far as I can remember. This is why I cannot fathom the idea of going back to Mexico. It would be a foreign place to me, even my family members over there whom I have yet to meet,” he stated.

With a following of over 40,000 between social media platforms, the student has made it a priority to inform others in vulnerable communities about important issues that may seem disconnected when coming from large corporations. 

“I believe that the root of journalism is bringing awareness and communicating essential information to our audience,” he expressed.

Moreover, he explained that within the two weeks of the Presidential inauguration, and the multitude of executive orders signed, it is important for communities to be informed and aware “in all aspects,” in his words; this includes safety tips, legislation, organizations to help communities and more. 

The executive orders of President Trump have incited fear among immigrant communities, and many fear that the attempt to maintain residency through legal routes may continue to diminish.

“I wanted to give [my parents] the feeling of not living in constant fear,” concluded Perez in relation to his family’s P.I.P process, demonstrating the invisible battles faced among these communities.