As the country prepares for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, which is less than a week away, fear and worry are big issues for some families in the area.
The presidential candidate has promised to deport many people, maybe as early as his first day in office. Gov. Bill Lee supports this idea.
On the spot, Lee told the press, “I believe it is very important that we work together with President Trump and his team.” “We plan to do so and are very hopeful and encouraged about what that will mean for our state.”
As people get ready for this possible reality, NewsChannel 5 talked to some illegal immigrants in Nashville to hear their stories.
A woman named Gloria left Mexico to escape domestic abuse and came to the United States in 2002.
She said, “I was looking for safety for myself and my kids.” “That’s the reason I chose to cross the border.”
Her real name and face are hidden because she fears being deported. Gloria has lived in Nashville for 23 years, but she doesn’t know how long she will be able to stay there.
She said, “I feel like I’m going to start living one day at a time after January 20.”
Donald Trump, who is running for president, has promised to get rid of rules that make it harder to follow immigration laws in places like schools, churches, and hospitals. He will take office next Monday.
“Are you afraid that this new government will cut you off from your family?”
She added, “Yes, the fear is in me and everyone in my family.”
Gloria’s family includes an autistic 7-year-old who depends on his illegal parents to care for him and a boy 12 years old who depends on the undocumented income of his single father. Gloria and her husband own a maintenance business. They have three children who live in Nashville: an engineer, a psychologist, and a graphic artist. Now, though, they say they don’t know what will happen.
She said, “This is the start of a nightmare.”
Gloria has started talking to her grandchildren about the chance that one or both of their parents may not come home one day. She is afraid of what the future holds.
She said, “They don’t get why something bad could happen to you or why you need to go to jail.” “There have been many tears and fears, but we try to be strong for the kids and let them know that everything will be okay.”
In case that happens, the family is making sure that all of their legal papers are in order. This includes making sure that their IDs and powers of attorney are valid.
Charlotte English is an immigration lawyer for the charity law firm Tennessee Justice For Our Neighbors. “A power of attorney is a legal document that names someone to care for your children if you can’t,” she explained. Parents worry a lot because they don’t know what the future holds or if their children are safe.
Even though this foreign family doesn’t know what the future holds for them, they are very dedicated to their job.
Gloria said, “Work, provide, and contribute.” “We’re very good at it…” We’re proud of what we do.
Tomorrow, NewsChannel 5 will talk more about this important subject by showing how groups in Nashville are working together to help and teach families like Gloria’s.
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