SAN JUAN — Yenniffer England addressed an audience at La Union Del Pueblo Entero, clad in professional attire accented by an ankle monitor. This certified nursing assistant and mother of two has spent three harrowing months in an immigration detention center, despite being a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This Obama-era initiative is intended to shield immigrants who came to the U.S. as children from deportation while providing them with work permits. Yet, since the return of President Donald Trump to office, numerous DACA recipients have faced arrests.
England is also a member of LUPE, a community-based nonprofit that serves immigrants and low-income families in the Rio Grande Valley. The organization advocated for her release, which was granted by a federal judge last week. However, her situation reflects a broader crisis affecting LUPE’s membership, as enhanced immigration enforcement policies have led to the detention and deportation of four members by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while over 20 others have seen their DACA status expire due to delays in application processing, according to Tania Chavez Camacho, LUPE’s president and executive director.
The consequences of these cases have created a climate of fear among LUPE’s more than 8,000 members, a diverse group comprising U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and undocumented immigrants. This apprehension may hinder the organization’s ability to effect meaningful change within the community. Chavez Camacho noted that many members hesitate to attend events, fearing potential encounters with law enforcement that could lead to ICE custody.
During a recent roundtable discussion with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, Chavez Camacho voiced her concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on both individual members and the community as a whole. England, now released from detention while her case is under appeal, lives in constant fear of re-detention, knowing her location is monitored. This anxiety has contributed to a decline in participation among LUPE members in community events, which are vital for the organization’s advocacy efforts.
Chavez Camacho emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, “We continue to do the work, but we can only continue to do the work if the community continues to show up.” The roundtable provided a platform for vulnerable LUPE members to share their experiences, underscoring the broader implications of the immigration enforcement policies instituted during the Trump administration.
Padilla acknowledged the prevailing support for border security but highlighted the often-overlooked repercussions for lawful immigrants, such as DACA recipients and farmworkers. “There has to be a better way,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for solutions and Congressional action to provide relief for immigrants facing deportation.
In response to the challenges faced by members with lapsed DACA statuses, LUPE is offering cash assistance to help cover grocery expenses, as many find themselves unable to work legally. Chavez Camacho expressed hope that visits from lawmakers like Padilla would amplify the voices of those affected by immigration enforcement.
“These are the stories we hear at LUPE every day; they represent the broader community of South Texas,” she said. She also noted a noticeable increase in enforcement at airports and the growing cooperation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and federal immigration officials, which has heightened anxiety among residents.
England’s experience exemplifies the consequences of such collaborations. In February, she was detained by ICE following a routine traffic stop for driving with an expired license, an action her advocates argue should not have escalated due to her DACA status. “We are experiencing a different Rio Grande Valley,” Chavez Camacho concluded.
