South Florida immigrant communities fearful as Trump administration expands deportation targets

Department of Homeland Security to crack down on undocumented migration

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. ā€“ The Department of Homeland Security released two memos Tuesday morning regarding immigration enforcement.

The memos imply that there will be a more aggressive approach to illegal immigration taken, which includes hiring 15,000 new Department of Homeland Security employees.

There will be a continued priority given to undocumented migrants who may face deportation for everything from felonies to minor the criminal offenses, such as traffic violations.

"Instead of waiting here a few months the person who leaves the country won't be able to come back for 10 years, itā€™s definitely breaking the families apart," immigration attorney Nera Shefer said.

The new Trump plan also urges the start of construction of the wall along the U.S. southern border.Ā 

"Right now what we've done is to make sure that they have the ability, and the guidance and the resources to do what their mission is and that's it plain and simple, and the president is consistent with his priority of making sure that those people who pose a threat to this country are the first ones to go," U.S. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Shefer says Trump isn't rolling out any novel ideas.Ā 

"This is not the president making new law but it's taking a more strict policy," she said.

Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson stresses the need for immigration reform and Republican lawmakers also echoed that sentiment Tuesday during a press conference.

"We should feel privileged that people from all over the world want to come here," Rep.Carlos Curbelo said. "Does it have to be orderly, yes. Do we have to protect our people from those who want to do us harm, without a doubt."

Rep.Ā Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that she wants Trump to be a successful president, but not at the cost of undocumented immigrants.

"I want him to succeed because if he succeeds, America succeeds," she said. "But if success is measured by how many people you're deporting, yikes."Ā 


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.