Amid Trump's Deportations, African Immigrants Face Heightened Anxiety

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has aggressively reshaped U.S. immigration policy, ramping up deportations under a sweeping executive order that expands enforcement priorities. The administration's renewed focus on mass deportations has spread fear and uncertainty, particularly among immigrant communities, as families are torn apart and lives upended.

On January 22, ICE law enforcement officers arrested Franz Cadet, a 43-year-old citizen of Haiti. Cadet was convicted of multiple drug offenses. Photo released by DHS

Escalation of Deportation Efforts

On January 26, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced that President Trump had taken executive action to "stop the invasion at the southern border and to empower law enforcement agents to deport criminal aliens." This move aligns with the administration's broader strategy to remove undocumented immigrants, a plan that faces significant financial, legal, and logistical challenges. Images have surfaced showing long lines of shackled migrants boarding planes, their faces etched with despair. Some hold back tears as they clutch the hands of their children, knowing this might be their last moment together.

At least two Air Force C-17 Globemaster III planes flew migrants to Guatemala, where 80 deportees, including women and men, shackled at their wrists and ankles, were confirmed returned. For many, this journey means returning to danger, poverty, and

persecution. The policy has especially alarmed African immigrants, many of whom face persecution, economic hardship, or even slavery if forced to return to their home countries.

Deportation flights to remove illegal aliens (DHS Photo by ICE/Released)

Impact on African Immigrants

While much of the public discourse has centered on Latin American migrants, African immigrants have increasingly found themselves entangled in these enforcement actions. The number of Africans apprehended at the southern border jumped to 58,462 in the fiscal year 2023 from 13,406 in 2022, with Mauritania, Senegal, Angola, and Guinea being the largest sources, according to the New York Times. For many African immigrants, deportation is a death sentence. It is not just about losing a job or a home; it is about losing everything. Many fled war, political persecution, and human trafficking, only to now face the cruel reality of being forced back into the very horrors they risked their lives to escape.

Personal Stories of Fear and Uncertainty

Amina, a 34-year-old immigrant from Senegal who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal, has lived in the Bronx for over a decade. She works as a home health aide and is the sole provider for her two children, both U.S. citizens. "Every knock on the door makes my heart race," she said, her voice trembling. "I tuck my babies into bed every night, not knowing if I'll be here in the morning to wake them up."

Similarly, John, a 45-year-old Nigerian immigrant in Texas, was recently detained during a routine traffic stop. Despite having no criminal record, he now faces deportation. "I've built my life here," he lamented, tears welling up in his eyes. "Being sent back means losing my family, friends, and dignity. How do I tell my son I may never see him again?"

For many, the fear of deportation is compounded by the conditions they fled in their home countries. Political instability, economic hardship, and violence remain significant concerns.

"I left Mali because of slavery and persecution," said Moussa, a 39-year-old asylum seeker whose application was rejected. "Now, they want to send me back to a place where I could be killed. What kind of justice is that?"

Community Response and Support

Faced with these pressing challenges, organizations within the Diaspora Open Space ecosystem have mobilized to provide crucial support and advocacy for African immigrants. The African Services Committee, a multi-service human rights agency in Harlem, delivers a comprehensive range of services, including healthcare, housing, legal aid, social welfare, education, nutritious foods, and advocacy to more than 12,000 individuals in New York City.

Similarly, African Communities Together empowers African immigrants to integrate socially, advance economically, and engage civically.

By connecting individuals to essential services, fostering leadership development, and organizing communities around critical issues, the organization strengthens the collective voice of African immigrants. At the heart of this effort, Diaspora Open Space, a grassroots umbrella organization representing African Diaspora communities in New York City, has emerged as a powerful force in combating deportation threats. Its advocacy has provided a vital lifeline for families on the brink of separation.

"We are not just offering legal support and emotional counseling; we are fighting for families, futures, and justice," said Henry Ssali, Chief Strategic Officer of Diaspora Open Space. "Every night, I receive desperate calls; mothers sobbing, children screaming in the background - begging for help. These are not just mere cases; they are lives in balance. Our mission is clear: to keep families together and to stand against unjust deportations."

Legal and Political Challenges

The deportation plan also faces logistical and legal obstacles, including a lack of infrastructure, facilities, and lawful authority. The American Immigration Council estimates that mass deportations could cost nearly $1 trillion and take more than a decade to deport all undocumented immigrants.

Legal challenges from civil rights groups and certain countries' opposition to accepting deportees add to the intricate geopolitical and domestic hurdles ahead. Several African nations have pushed back, refusing to issue travel documents for deportees.

The history of African migration to the U.S. is complex, shaped by colonial legacies, economic disparities, and geopolitical conflicts. Over the past two decades, African immigration has grown significantly, with many arriving as refugees, asylum seekers, or through diversity visa programs.

Despite their contributions to the economy and society, African immigrants have often been overlooked in immigration debates. As the administration continues to implement its immigration policies, African immigrant communities remain on edge. The support from diaspora organizations provides some relief, but the overarching climate of fear persists.

The coming months will be critical in determining the future of many African immigrants in the U.S. as legal battles unfold and communities brace for further enforcement actions. But amid the despair, there is also resilience, a refusal to be erased, a determination to fight for the right to call America home.