SAN ANTONIO – A slew of executive orders out of the White House over the last two weeks has some people in San Antonio asking questions.
KSAT compiled the top three most-asked questions and took them to nonprofits focused on immigration information.
What’s my current immigration status now?
The Trump administration has been clear that border security is a priority.
“Millions of people flowed into our country through Mexico and Canada, and we’re not going to allow that,” President Trump said days ago.
Fred Schellenberg, the director of the American Organization for Immigrants in San Antonio, said his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Trump took office for the second time.
“We’re receiving a lot of calls saying, ‘What’s going to happen?‘” Schellenberg said. “We don’t have all the answers yet. Our recommendation to our clients is that ... make sure you carry copies of these documents that demonstrate that you’re seeking to normalize your process in the United States.”
Will my immigration process continue?
Millions of people immigrate to America every year. The process of becoming a legal immigrant can take anywhere from months to years.
The second question we’ve seen is “How will the new administration’s policies impact my current immigration application?”
“It’s such a complicated question for the millions of people out there who are impacted,” said Paige Duggins-Clay, the chief legal analyst for the Intercultural Development Research Association.
Duggins-Clay said there hasn’t been a clear answer moving forward, but Schellenberg said the right to seek asylum is a human right protected by U.S. law.
“At least our reading right now is, you can’t be deported if you’ve got a day in court,” Schellenberg said. “I’m not sure how that’s going to play out and how fast it will play out, and whether it’s going to be real relief.”
How can I have a conversation about what’s going on with my kids?
It’s not just adults tuning into conversations about immigration — kids are curious, too.
Parents have reached out to KSAT asking for advice to start a conversation about immigration, regardless of one’s status, due to recent concern about ICE raids.
Schellenberg said the first step is honesty.
“You know there are stories now where folks are not letting their children go to school,” Schellenberg said.
Duggins-Clay said providing resources to kids and giving them room to feel a wide range of emotions is an important step.
“We understand that this is a really difficult time and hard to have that conversation,” Duggins-Clay said. “We can make sure that young people and their caregivers know their rights.”
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