ARIZONA, USA — Some community organizations and attorneys in Arizona are concerned about mass deportations following a new state law and deportation promises made by newly elected President Donald Trump.
Jose Patiño, vice president of education and external affairs at Aliento, said he's heard from many mixed status families about their concerns of being deported in the next few months.
"People are worried, they're affraid," Patiño said. "People are still processing because of the double whammy Prop 314 and then Trump being elected with this promise of mass deportation."
Arizonans recently voted in favor of Prop. 314, which allows local law enforcement to arrest people who are not legally in the country.
Patiño said it's brought up past traumas for those who were impacted by SB1070.
"Someone who went through family separation during the SB1070 years when they were 5,6,7 years old," Patiño said. "Memories of just going to school and then coming back in the house [not knowing] what happened and then figuring out later and that one of the parents pulled over."
As a DACA recipient, Patiño also shared his concerns about Trump's newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan after watching an interview Homan had done with 60 Minutes.
"I've been here for 29 years," Patiño said. "Everything that I have here is in Arizona and the fact that Americans say they don't want people like me here in Arizona, or want people like me is hurtful."
Ray Ybarra Maldonado, an immigration attorney, said his office has received several calls from concerned clients asking if there's anyway to legalize their status.
"We've been under this attack before," Ybarra Maldonado said. "We practiced criminal immigration under the times of Arpaio. We were here during the first Trump administration."
Ybarra Maldonado said for right now, Prop 314 could be tied up in court.
"It's set to go into effect 60 days after a ruling in the SB4 case in Texas happens which could be months, which could be a year, which could be longer than that," Ybarra Maldonado said. "So we're not even sure if that's ever going to take place, as it's going to be challenged in court, and it continues to be challenged in court."
12News reached out to newly elected Maricopa County Sheriff-elect Jerry Sheridan about concerns over deputies arresting patrons on speculation of unlawful entry.
His campaign said in part:
"As it relates to Prop 314, Sheridan will vigorously enforce the laws against fentanyl drug smuggling and dealing. Because Maricopa County is not a border county, the immigration aspect of that initiative does not apply to MCSO.”
Ybarra Maldonado said there are grave concerns over what will happen when Trump is sworn into office and Homan becomes the border czar.
"They're going to come up with the most creative arguments they can to take away immigration status, to deport as many people as they can," Ybarra Maldonado said. "We're more ready than we were before, so whenever they bring that attack, we'll be ready to stand up and fight for our community."
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