Immigrants and Allies Rally at Capitol: Urgent Call to Biden Before Trump Deportations Ignite

WASHINGTON — As President Joe Biden’s term nears its conclusion, immigrant advocates gathered on Tuesday, pressing for immediate protections for vulnerable communities in the face of Donald Trump’s impending inauguration.

With Trump pledging the largest deportation effort in U.S. history, fear pervades among undocumented immigrants and their allies. This threat looms heavily over the Democratic coalition, particularly as Trump’s aggressive immigration platform was central to his campaign.

At a rally near the U.S. Capitol, the “Home is Here” campaign showcased a coalition of immigrant youth and advocates urgently calling for Biden to enact executive measures. The group also implored Congress to avoid increasing funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which could facilitate mass deportation efforts under Trump during this transitional period.

Participants from states including Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New York, and Utah traveled to Washington, D.C., to voice their demands to lawmakers. Claudia Quiñonez, organizing director of United We Dream, emphasized the criticality of this moment. “This lame-duck period is a crucial window for our members in Congress and President Biden to act decisively,” she stated.

Quiñonez, co-chair of the Home is Here campaign, warned of the lengths Trump might go to uphold his promises regarding mass deportation, affecting schools, workplaces, and community spaces.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib also addressed the rally, expressing her concerns about Trump’s immigration plans. “As you all know, the moment Trump takes office in January presents significant risks, and we need to gather collective strength to resist this hateful agenda,” said the Michigan Democrat. She urged Biden to leverage his remaining authority, highlighting that immediate executive actions could protect immigrant communities.

Key to the Home is Here campaign’s agenda is the preservation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields certain undocumented youth from deportation. The fate of DACA rests with a pending court decision, following Trump’s attempts to dismantle the program during his presidency.

In a recent interview, Trump hinted at a collaborative approach regarding DACA without detailing his plans. Concerns also arose regarding the future of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which provides legal residency and work authorization to migrants from countries facing dangerous conditions.

Throughout his first term, Trump sought to eliminate TPS protections, leaving many in limbo as uncertainty looms over their immigration status.

Last updated 1:25 p.m., Dec. 17, 2024