COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As President Donald Trump signs off on tougher immigration policies, there are concerns among immigrant communities in Ohio about the future.
A protest in north Columbus Wednesday night drew close to 100 people as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began arrests across the nation.
Michelle Resendiz, one of the organizers behind the protest, said it started as a few local students coming together on social media but quickly turned into a big group with the same goal; to use their voices for those who can’t.
“We must speak up on what’s going on,” Resendiz said.
Signs read “Immigrants make America great” and “Stop dividing families.” Many protestors like Erika Bautista are first-generation Americans.
“We pay taxes, we build your houses, we cut your grass, we clean your houses,” Bautista said. “We are a big part to America. We are not criminals.”
Protestor Michael Guzman-Martinez said he’s scared for his undocumented family members.
“Even us as U.S. citizens, we’re scared to be profiled on the street and get stopped by ICE agents,” Guzman-Martinez said.
Since Trump took office for his second term, ICE has stepped up arrests and deportations across the country. Trump administration officials said they’re simply carrying out the law.
“We are not criminals,” Resendiz said. “We are here to have a future. We are here to become educated. We are doctors. We are lawyers. We are engineers. We are much more than we’re portrayed as.”
Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law on Wednesday; it’s named after a nursing student who was killed by an undocumented immigrant. Trump said his administration is targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.
“Under the Trump administration, we’re moving with urgency and speed to get these vicious and violent criminals the hell out of our country and to restore law and order to our suburbs, our cities and our towns,” Trump said.
Guzman-Martinez said it’s not fair that immigrants are being portrayed as criminals.
“Even just being here is a crime, they said, and that’s not true,” Guzman-Martinez said. “They’re here just like the rest of us. They pay taxes, they work, they help the economy. Yes, there are some bad apples in that bunch, but most of them are good people.”
Central Ohio protestors said undocumented immigrants have the same goals as everyone else.
“Is it illegal to come here and want an education for your family,” Resendiz said. “A future for your family? We come from a lot of political instability in our own countries. We come from a lot of corruption in our own countries, a lot of persecution in our countries, a lot of war in our countries. Is it illegal to come here looking for something better?”
According to the Columbus Division of Police, they have not been made aware of any ICE arrests happening in the city and they have not been called on to assist at this time.
Meantime, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said the city takes the safety of residents very seriously. The mayor’s office said it continues to uphold Ginther’s executive order that they will not use city resources to arrest anyone living in Columbus solely based on immigration status.