Political Tensions Impacting Cate: Connections, Society, and Immigrant Deportation

By: Henry Chen '27 and Oliver Zheng '27

Since President Donald Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, several policies have been implemented to reduce the influx of immigrants, especially Latinos, coming through U.S. borders. Executive Order 14159 clearly clarified the president’s standpoint of “protecting the American people against invasion.” Using expedited removal, an immigration officer may quickly deport individuals without due process if the government establishes that they entered the United States illegally and have been in the country for less than two years. Additionally, under expedited removal, people may be detained and deported without appearing before an immigration judge. Other immigrants, regardless of how long they have been in the United States, may also experience immigration enforcement and removal. The dynamics between immigrant communities and the broader local community are shifting.

Hispanic immigrants comprise the largest share of the immigrant population in the U.S., with about a third of Hispanic and Latino adults in the U.S. being immigrants. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, most (67%) Hispanic immigrants are employed, yet many face unfair workplace treatment. Despite high rates of employment (primarily in hourly jobs), most have annual household incomes under $40,000, leading to challenges affording basic necessities. The strong enforcement of border controls and immigrant laws is not without its repercussions, which is viewed by a myriad of U.S. citizens as a violation of human rights. Various protests have arisen nationwide, one of which was “A Day Without Immigrants” on February 3, 2025, aiming to highlight the indispensable role of foreign settlers in the U.S. economy. Participants were encouraged to remove themselves from school, work, or any other activities involving any contribution to the US. People in several states bordering Mexico, especially Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California, showed substantial engagement in this event, and there were even marches,  such as the one led by Bishop Mark J. Seitz in El Paso, Texas.

The Cate community was eager to take part in the protest. On the “Day Without Immigrants”, many students, including the school’s Hispanic-Latino Alliance (HLA), abstained from classes to create posters emphasizing the importance of immigrants and criticizing the aggressive, threatening policy. Arelic Rodriguez ‘27, one of the Cate participants, described how burdensome and complex the situation could be for the Latino community, where “[many] survive week by week…” There is fear and uncertainty surrounding the reduced credibility of government subsidies for food, healthcare, and taxes, as well as concerns about their long-term sustainability. The heightened insecurity and vulnerability also impacts many members of the Latino community’s financial stability. “Many people have uprooted their lives and come here for a fresh start in order to avoid poverty,” Arelic '27 said. Her parents are no exception, as they moved to California in search of a better opportunity. Following Trump’s new legislation, however, she candidly expressed her apprehension that “anything could happen at any given moment...you wouldn’t know until you get a phone call of someone near you getting deported.”

Confronting a changing political landscape, the Cate community remains strong and united in the face of adversity. “HLA (Hispanic-Latino Alliance), Mike, & Jailyn, Urizar, and Tania keep checking on me”, Arelic ‘27 further provided. “America is built on the backbone of immigrants,” she said, connected by strings of love, progeny, friendship, and tension. The newly inaugurated policies are multi-faceted, involving various aspects such as legal, social, and humanitarian considerations. As society navigates ongoing challenges, the Cate community continues to respond actively and positively in a respectful and informed manner, demonstrating 'Servons' by contributing their opinions and ideas to the broader community.