In the Triad, one local nonprofit is worried about the Trump administration’s approach to immigration policy. From the latest travel ban to ICE raids and major protests in Los Angeles, a lot of fear has been brought up among immigrant communities.
Church World Service in Greensboro said these measures are impacting newcomers to the U.S. in more ways than one. The organization has been welcoming refugees and immigrants to North Carolina for the last 40 years by providing employment, education assistance and legal services.
“This travel ban is just another strategy to provoke fear among immigrants and refugees,” said Megan Shepard, the director of CWS North Carolina.
The latest Trump travel ban blocks nationals of 12 countries from traveling to the U.S. unless they qualify under one of the exemptions, like having a valid green card or if they have asylum status before the ban was put in place. This measure, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and protests, have North Carolina immigrants scared for their legal status.
Since President Donald Trump signed the executive orders, Shepard said fear is heightened among the community she serves.
“We’ve heard from folks that they’re concerned about going to work,” she said. “They’re concerned about sending their children to school. They’re concerned about accessing much-needed resources, including, you know, accessing health care, because they’re, they’re worried about, you know, the implications of those things.”
The travel ban officially started Monday, but Shepard said the exact impact on families looking to move to the U.S. won’t be known for some time. Seeing use of force against immigrants, Shepard said, is perpetuating fear across the Triad.
“Particularly in Greensboro, we have such a welcoming community with a really long history of welcoming and supporting newcomers,” she said. “So it’s, you know, I don’t think a travel ban is truly a reflection of our values as a community or as a nation.”
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Witnessing and hearing about violent arrests and protests, like the national guard presence in Los Angeles, has brought up traumatic memories for some, Shepard said.
“All of the people that we serve are fleeing countries where there is real security concerns and strife,” she said. “They’ve come to the United States for safety, for security, for a better life and opportunity they wouldn’t have overseas. The trauma and kind of reexperiencing those things here have to, I think just add to all of those sentiments of fear and not belonging.”
Shepard said her ask of the community as a whole is humanity and compassion for refugees and immigrants trying to make a life for themselves in North Carolina.
People need to remember that these are human people with families.
She added that immigrants bring unique cultural experiences to the U.S. as well as economic impact, so supporting immigrants is about improving the community as a whole. As an advocate for new Americans, Shepard said now is a time when anyone can use their voice to speak up on behalf of immigrants as well.
“I would just encourage people to be reaching out to their elected officials and expressing their outrage and concern over the treatment of immigrants right now and these really harmful, inhumane policies that are being issued,” she said.
As of June 10, there is no end date listed for the travel ban, but officials may reevaluate the measure 90 days from the start of the ban.
Church World Service Greensboro
Mi Casa
World Relief Triad
Hogar Del Inmigrante
U.S. Department of Justice — Immigration Review
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