Mexican Immigrants Under the 45th U.S. Presidency Impacts of Heightened Immigration Enforcement and Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric

Abstract

The lives of various immigrant populations in the United States have been placed under a powerful microscope with the existing executive administration. Its focus on immigrants from Mexico, in particular, began during the campaign season for the 2016 presidential elections. The integrity of Mexican immigrants was forcefully questioned the day that the current U.S. president announced his bid for presidency. On that day and each day since this administration took office, its immigration-related rhetoric and immigration enforcement priorities have contributed to a political and social environment that has led to the following outcomes for Mexican immigrants: feelings of heightened vulnerability and fear, various forms of coping with ever-changing policy, and the sentiment that while the tactics of this administration are unique, the threat of detainment and deportation have long been a danger for people of this community. Analysis of these findings may be used to guide social service organizations in their internal practices and their interactions with Mexican immigrants.