​Since President Trump officially took office, there have been endless reports of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and deportations—some have been true, while others were false.
 
Keep in mind that President Obama’s 2014 policy focused on deporting unauthorized immigrants — gang members, felons and those who pose a security threat. Similar to the one the Trump administration is implementing.
 
In office for a little over a month, President Trump has stopped at nothing, when it comes to accomplishing his mission of deporting any and everyone who he believes is a “threat” to the US, even if that means one who is law-abiding. This means that immigration officials can now remove anyone with a criminal background. It also applies to anyone who had their deportation postponed under the Obama administration.

Why did it take a controversial election and an even more controversial president to raise more awareness and support for refugees? It’s almost cynical to think that an executive order got us, as Americans, to open our eyes to such an underlying cause. What is going to happen to 38,000 refugees who call America home?
 
Concern has been raised by countless groups, from politicians to professional athletes to the general public. Think of it this way, the NBA immediately inquired to the state department, about what would happen to its international athletes—Luol Deng plays for an American team, holds South Sudanese and Australian citizenship, but their biggest concern was whether he would be allowed to enter or even leave America if the Lakers play a game against Canada’s team. Clearly, South Sudan is not one of the countries subjected, but when you consider the same scenario—with someone from Yemen or Lebanon—then it would make more sense. 

​​​For decades, immigration has been a hot topic of discussion in the U.S. The buzz surrounding it seemed to die down and then come back in full steam following the 2016 Presidential election. President Trump has a very ambitious plan for Protecting America: build a wall, ramp up the deportation of millions of illegal residents, temporarily ban entry to citizens of certain predominantly Muslim nations and put a hold on accepting Syrian refugees.    
 
There is no doubt that many people come to the U.S. with hopes of finding a better life. Whether it is the opportunity for a better form of employment, education, or freedom, they venture here to chase the American dream. The dreams they held onto dwindled as they watched the recent election unfold. Their dreams may be gone and fear takes over. Fear that they may be separated from the life they spent years or even decades building.