There’s no “right way” to immigrate anymore | Vox

The Erosion of Trust in US Immigration System

The article details the increasingly precarious situation for immigrants in the United States under the Trump administration. It highlights several cases where immigrants, regardless of their legal status, are being targeted and detained, often during seemingly routine interactions with government agencies.

Key Cases Highlighted

• Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student with permanent residency, was arrested during a citizenship interview.
• The IRS is sharing data on undocumented taxpayers with ICE, breaking a promise of confidentiality.
• Legal immigrants are being targeted based on political views or affiliations, with cases such as Rümeysa Öztürk's kidnapping and Harvard facing pressure to share student data.
• Even naturalized citizens, like Bachir Atallah, are facing arbitrary detentions.

These actions are eroding trust in government institutions, creating fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities. The article emphasizes that immigrants are now hesitant to interact with the government, even for necessary services, for fear of deportation.

Impact and Concerns

The consequences of this erosion of trust are far-reaching: immigrants are less likely to report crimes or file taxes, leading to reduced public revenue. It also promotes the creation of a 'second-class citizenry' where immigrants are permanently under threat, regardless of their legal status.

The article concludes by highlighting the administration’s strategy of sowing chaos and fear within immigrant communities and its ultimate goal of establishing a tiered citizenship system.