In the latest preoccupation for Making America Great Again, the question of immigration has never been off the table for the Trump administration. Now that tensions have mounted to the point where this polarization has spilled out onto the streets and, the clash of oppositional forces is now a staple on all the various news outlets.
There is however, some solace in realizing that like everything in the arsenal of the MAGA policy, there is a precedent in goals and methodology. In short, the ground work was established during the Trump administration from 2017 through 2021, then resumed in earnest after a four year break.
Since his return to office in January, 100,000 illegal migrants have been arrested prior to the ongoing confrontation transpiring in downtown Los Angeles and nearby locales, according to data gathered by Our Weekly from the White House and other sources.
While not reaching the dramatic histrionics taking place presently, Trump also made an imprint in the reduction of green cards, and the number of non-immigrant visas issued.
The latest proclamation on June 5 lists a dozen countries whose residents may not enter the United States. These include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
An additional roster of nations were imposed with sanctions to a lesser degree, among them Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
A quick perusal of this listing reveals a concentration of locales in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. In short, a preponderance of countries populated by people of color. “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” the Chief Executive said in justifying this decision.
Underscoring the polarization that is a dominant fixture in contemporary politics, this latest development was met with criticism by opposing parties, including those previously aligned with the MAGA movement.
Trump’s victory in November was abetted in part by Republican Latino support, who’ve felt betrayed since he assumed office for the second time. Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus called this decree “…racist, bigoted and xenophobic.”
Venezuelans living in the U.S. had previously been shielded diplomatically, but this loyalty has been shaken since their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was lifted in February. This affects some 700,000 Venezuelans, primarily in Florida and the southeastern United States.
Ferro, who represents those who sought asylum due to political upheaval in their homeland, echoed the sentiments of many. “Beyond betrayed. They used us.”
Ongoing developments fueled by demonstrations in Los Angeles and across the country may impact further developments.