Latin Times: Prof. López Recommends Steps for Undocumented Migrants Prior to Trump’s Presidential Term
As president elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in the coming weeks, experts urge undocumented migrants to plan for possible mass deportations from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Prof. Luz López, a researcher focused on immigrant issues from BU School of Social Work, shared steps individuals and families can take to mitigate the impact of these actions, even if deportation is unavoidable.
Excerpt from “From Sanctuary Cities to Preparedness Plans: What Undocumented Migrants Should Consider Ahead of Trump Term” by Maria Villarroel:
Luz Marilis Lopez, a clinical professor and immigration expert at Boston University School of Social Work, advises families to put all important documents from each family member— from birth certificates to other forms of identification— and hide it in a safe place in case a member is deported.
‘We are telling families to have a family preparedness plan, which is first put all the documents, important documents, in a place and make copies and give someone that they trust— a neighbor or another family member— those documents,’ Lopez said. ‘So, if something happens to one of the members the documents are there for the rest of the family.’
Many immigration advocacy organizations, such as Boston Medical Center, have released their own family preparedness plans to provide a comprehensive list for migrants to consider ahead of mass deportations, including having conversations with children and younger members of the family to explain the situation, in case parents are unexpectedly taken into custody.
‘It’s important to sit down with the children and explain what’s happening,’ Lopez said. ‘Sometimes parents feel like they don’t want to worry children and give them that uncertainty. But if they’re undocumented, that’s their reality. It’s better to explain, ‘we came here to look for a better life, we are working hard, we are a good family, but we don’t have papers, and there may be a chance of something called deportation.’’”