Latinos in Yakima concerned about Trump’s words, but say they remain hopeful
YAKIMA – Outside Fiesta Foods, a supermarket specializing in Mexican groceries, customers were taking a wait-and-see approach Sunday over president-elect Donald Trump’s stance on mass deportations.
“We just do not know if he’s going to do what he promised or not,” Ignacia Ibarra said in Spanish.“We’re hopeful that he won’t, but we really don’t know.”
Like nearly everyone interviewed for this story, Ibarra said she knew people who would be affected by any changes in immigration policy.
Trump could potentially, with the stroke of a pen, undo Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA. Implemented by executive action by the Obama administration in 2012, the measure allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. before their 16th birthday and before June 2007 to receive a renewable two-year work permit and exemption from deportation. It is often referred to as the Dream Act.
“He could set back their dreams,” Ibarra said, referring to the 750,000 now covered under DACA. “It’s sad that they’ve gained so much here, and instead of helping them and giving these youth more opportunities, he’s taking them away. It’s sad for them, because it’s something they’ve gained and now it’s going backwards.”
Since the election, Trump has backtracked a bit on immigration issues. In a interview broadcast Sunday on “60 minutes,” Trump said he would focus on immediately deporting an estimated ?2 million to 3 million undocumented immigrants with criminal records.
Then, after the border is secure there will be a determination on other undocumented immigrants, he said in the “60 Minutes” interview.
Also speaking Sunday, House speaker Paul Ryan said border security would be a top U.S. priority and not mass deportations.
Shopping with their two young children, Javier and Ana Martinez also said they were concerned about Trump’s previous comments on deportation, which they said could affect them.
“We’re worried about what he’s said but we’re not sure what he’s going to do,” Ana said.
“What he’s said about those of us that have a bad record, I think that any president has a point,” Javier said. “but those who haven’t done anything, or who are studying and have a life here, that’s what I’m concerned about. It’ll be a huge change for them.”
Nineteen-year-old Joanna Acevedo said she worries about her parents, who are undocumented and have lived in the U.S. for 27 years. She was born in the U.S. but said she could be living in a future where she doesn’t see her parents anymore.
“They work in the fields. In Mexico, there isn’t that much work and the money is better here than over there,” she said. “He wants to send everyone back. What’s going to happen to (my parents’) stuff? Was it all just a waste of time?”
On Sunday, following services at St. Joseph’s Parish, a Catholic church in downtown Yakima, the Rev. Felipe Pulido said many in his congregation have concerns about mass deportations and DACA’s potential elimination. To ease their angst, Pulido said he’s reached out to a few of his parishioners.
“There’s a saying in Mexico that goes, ‘A dog that barks, does not bite,’” Pulido said. “A lot of people believe this, that Mr. Trump has a lot of bark, but no bite. But if he starts to bite, that’s when it could get dangerous. … That’s when I think that we’ll have to start worrying more and talk more. The Catholic church is worried about what he has said, especially because of the rhetoric he’s used. There are a lot of mixed emotions.”
Margarita Corarruvia, who was out shopping Sunday at Valley Mall in Union Gap with her family, said her youngest daughter, 22, is a Dreamer. Like any mother, she worries about her daughter’s future, but she’s also concerned that a Trump presidency could potentially mean her daughter’s days in the U.S. are numbered. Still, she’s hopeful.
“He seems like he’s changed (since his campaign),” she said. “I’ve noticed that he’s calmed down a bit. Let’s hope so.”