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PHOENIX — The recent directive by the Trump administration mandating that undocumented individuals in the United States register with the government and carry identification has sparked significant apprehension among immigrant rights advocates. Many fear the policy could lead to increased racial profiling, affecting not only undocumented immigrants but also legal residents.
The policy is reminiscent of a troubling past when strict documentation requirements forced many immigrants into hiding, raising concerns about public safety and community trust in law enforcement. Jose Patiño, vice president of education and external affairs for Aliento, an Arizona-based immigrant advocacy group, expressed that this directive could exacerbate existing issues. “It creates ambiguity about how to enforce and identify individuals who are not legally in the country,” he remarked.
A federal judge recently upheld President Donald Trump’s position on this policy following a lawsuit from immigrant rights organizations, asserting that the administration is simply enacting a long-standing law. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed this sentiment by stating, “The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws — we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce.” This stance underlines the government’s commitment to knowing who resides within its borders for national security reasons.
The legal requirements specify that individuals aged 14 and older without legal status must self-register with the government, including fingerprints and personal information. Failure to comply can result in criminal charges, as well as potential incarceration and fines.
Historically, such mandates have seldom been enforced, and recent developments have led to widespread confusion. There have been troubling reports of U.S. citizens facing detention due to misidentification amidst changing immigration policies.
Guerline Jozef, executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, highlighted that racial profiling is already disproportionately targeting Black migrants, with the recent requirement exacerbating fears. Many migrants, even those with Temporary Protected Status, have faced alarming detentions when traveling. Jozef described the situation as “psychological warfare,” as those permitted temporary legal status grapple with the need to carry identification at all times, fearing repercussions even when legally protected.
The renewed requirement for documentation harkens back to historical instances in which marginalized groups were compelled to provide proof of their status. Freed Black individuals were once required to carry “freedom papers,” while Japanese Americans faced identification mandates during World War II, leading to their internment.
Lynn Marcus, a director at the University of Arizona’s immigration law clinics, noted that the registration statutes have lain dormant for decades, with the current approach representing a dramatic revival of a wartime policy. The renewed mandates obligate U.S. citizens, particularly those perceived to have foreign backgrounds, to carry proof of citizenship consistently.
This raises complex issues, as valid residents or visa holders may be subjected to profiling based on various factors, not solely physical appearance. Marcus pointed out that even scenarios involving routine interactions with law enforcement could lead to misunderstandings, especially if language barriers exist.
Eileen Diaz McConnell, a professor specializing in transborder studies, recalled the impact of a 2010 Arizona law that compelled immigrants to possess immigration documents. Although the law was ultimately overturned, the two years it was enforced caused widespread anxiety among Latino communities, leading families to alter their routines out of fear of detention.
Research suggests that immigration policies can severely affect the mental health of families with mixed immigration statuses. Children, even those born in the U.S., report experiencing significant anxiety and other psychological impacts due to their family members’ precarious status. Diaz McConnell explained that many in these families are often unconvinced by arguments claiming that legal residents have nothing to fear.
Patiño, whose parents undocumentedly brought him to the U.S. at a young age, highlighted the paranoia gripping many undocumented individuals as he recounted the case of a single mother who has avoided public spaces due to her lack of documentation. “It’s as if she’s afraid to even step outside,” he noted.
There exists a profound fear among those who have crossed the border without documentation—many are unsure about the implications of the new registration requirements, especially given recent incidents involving visa holders being detained. “People are expected to navigate a system that they may not be fully aware of, creating a real catch-22,” Patiño concluded.
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