An undocumented immigrant named Gelacio Velazquez in Texas expressed his support for President-elect Donald Trump, despite the Republican’s plans for mass deportations during his second term in the White House. Velazquez, who came to the U.S. from Mexico 25 years ago and works as a mechanic, cited his backing for Trump “for the economy,” even though he was uncomfortable with the tough immigration policies. He has two young children who are U.S. citizens and stated that he is not afraid of being deported himself.
Trump had vowed during his election campaign to conduct the largest deportation plan in American history, targeting at least 11 million illegal immigrants whom he labeled criminals. Immigration advocacy groups have raised concerns that those without legal status, including families with children, could also face deportation under Trump’s policies. Despite disagreeing with the idea of mass deportations, Velazquez has indicated that he would respect the decision and leave the country with his entire family if necessary, heading back to Mexico. He emphasized his support for Trump based on economic policies and criticized President Joe Biden’s treatment of immigrants.
Velazquez’s situation is not unique, as it is estimated that at least 8.7 million U.S. citizens live with at least one undocumented family member, including 4.1 million children with parents lacking legal status. The new border czar, Tom Homan, has made promises to deport illegal immigrants and suggested that families could self-deport if they chose to do so. Immigration experts have predicted the use of scare tactics by officials to encourage migrants to leave voluntarily before facing detention. Despite the hardline stance on immigration by Trump, many Latino men supported him in the election, signaling a significant shift in political allegiances within this demographic.
The support for Trump among Latino voters, including undocumented immigrants like Velazquez, has raised questions about the Democratic Party’s engagement with Hispanic communities across the country. Some commentators and lawmakers have pointed to the need for more grassroots efforts and listening to the concerns of Hispanics moving forward. Velazquez’s endorsement of Trump, despite the potential implications for his own immigration status, highlights the complexity of political allegiances within immigrant communities facing deportation threats. With ongoing debates around immigration policies and border security, the experiences of individuals like Velazquez shed light on the personal and emotional challenges faced by those navigating uncertain legal landscapes in the United States.
