As part of his first day in office on Monday, Jan. 20, President Donald Trump signed 26 executive orders that reversed 78 bills from the Biden administration, declared energy and immigration emergencies, withdrew the U.S. from various alliances and attempted to end birthright citizenship, among various other actions.  For the Latinx community in Kent and Ottawa Counties, the president’s actions stirred upset and brought citizens to their feet in protest.

Trump halted immigration asylum until further notice, shutting down the CBP One app, which allowed immigrants to submit information and organize travel through customs and border control virtually, as well as canceling thousands of appointments and flights that were already scheduled for refugees. However, Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. 

These orders have major implications for undocumented immigrants in the United States, as well as those seeking asylum from the persecution they may face in their home countries. The growing concerns spurred an active response from Kent and Ottawa County residents.

During Trump’s inauguration, more than 100 activists marched through Grand Rapids in protest of Trump’s immigration orders. The protest was organized by two local immigration advocacy groups, Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response. 

One member of Movimiento Cosecha, Lester Dominguez, is a student at Grand Valley State University and the son of Mexican immigrants. Dominguez has volunteered with the group since 2020, helping to interpret and translate court testimonies while advocating to instate driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. 

“I try to help them share their stories as much as they can because I know sometimes politicians will only read a story of certain facts and base their decisions off of those things,” Dominguez said. “There’s not much empathy or compassion, so I try to open people’s perspective so that they’re more humanistic when they vote on certain laws.” 

Dominguez said he’s already noticed heightened anxiety among the Latinx community, as many are especially concerned about the temporary asylum halt.

“There’s people that are literally escaping death, and you’re (the Trump administration) playing with their lives,” Dominguez said. “People say, ‘Well, it’s not our priority. It’s not something that we should do.’ It doesn’t hurt to be empathetic and care about others. If we’re helping someone to continue to live their lives by offering them asylum, I think we should continue doing that.”

Another group organizing protests, GR Rapid Response, hosts meetings that provide information and training for how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Dominguez noted recent concerns, and remembers the same worry from his childhood growing up in a Latinx neighborhood.

“I learned what to do if ICE came knocking on my door before I learned my times tables,” Dominguez said. 

Jeff Smith, a local activist and a trainer with GR Rapid Response, voiced concern over the impact these orders may have on the agricultural sector and economy of West Michigan.

“The consequences will be tremendous,” Smith said. “After Florida and California, West Michigan has the highest concentration of migrant workers in the country. If (the Trump administration) starts deporting all those people, then who’s going to do that work? How’s that going to impact the economy? How’s that going to impact farmers? How’s that going to impact the cost of food?”

Smith said the precedent of Trump’s immigration orders, as well as recent initiatives such as the Laken Riley Act, will do nothing but heighten fear and drag the agricultural economy. 

“The levels of fear are going to be increased, levels of trauma are going to be increased and then there’s going to be ongoing consequences to the rest of society,” Smith said.

Dominguez is one of many GVSU students who are interested in how the University will respond to Trump’s actions. Assistant Vice President of University Communications Chris Knape said the University will continue to pursue an inclusive environment for all students where “free expression is encouraged and supported.” 

 “GVSU is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status,” Knape said. “We are listening to students, faculty and staff concerns, and we are also learning about the new (presidential) administration’s policies alongside them.”

In a similar message, the University’s Vice President for People, Equity and Culture, Robert Shorty, addressed the campus community in a statement released on behalf of GVSU’s General Counsel. 

“We understand that these executive actions may cause concern and uncertainty, and we want to assure you that we are closely monitoring developments and will take appropriate actions to comply with applicable law,” Shorty said.

Grand Rapids Public Schools has taken protective initiatives among faculty and staff, calling for vigilance of ICE presence on school property. Dominguez hopes GVSU will take similar measures to protect the immigrant student body.

“If (GVSU) were to comply with ICE, send them information and remove those students, I’d be disheartened because those are our future politicians, future doctors, future lawyers (and) future engineers,” Dominguez said. “Just because you weren’t born in this country doesn’t mean you’re less than somebody else. I would hope that (GVSU) would stand firm and support (immigrant students).”

GR Rapid Response and Movimiento Cosecha will present an argument on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to the Grand Rapids City Commission requesting to become a sanctuary city similar to Chicago. This would limit Grand Rapids’ cooperation with ICE. Notably, Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Winstrom stated last week that GRPD “is not in the business of immigration enforcement, period.” However, a memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that local officials could face federal investigation for non-compliance.

Sanctuary status would help to address turmoil within city organizations caused by the executive action against immigration. As the Trump administration looks to challenge the expanse of immigration policy and initiatives across the country, the West Michigan community anxiously awaits the trickle-down effects.