In a significant development that has alarmed immigrant communities across the United States, more than 1,000 Gambian immigrants are now at heightened risk of deportation due to a series of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in his first week back in office.
These orders, aimed at tightening immigration controls, have cast a wide net, potentially affecting millions of undocumented immigrants, including those from The Gambia.
As of November 2024, over 1.4 million noncitizens in the United States had a final order of removal that had not been executed.
Specifically, for individuals from Gambia, 1,035 people could face immediate deportation if enforcement officials encounter them or if a travel document is secured. This information has been made public by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The executive actions include expanding expedited removal processes, ending sanctuary city policies, and redefining who qualifies for priority deportation.
Reports from various sources indicate that these measures are part of Trump’s broader strategy to launch what he has promised to be the “largest deportation operation in American history.”
Gambian immigrants, many of whom have been in the US for years and contributed to local economies and communities, are now facing an uncertain future. The expansion of expedited removal allows immigration officers to deport individuals without a court hearing if they cannot prove they have been in the country for over two years. This policy shift could dramatically increase the number of deportations, including among those who have established deep roots in their American communities.
Advocacy groups and legal experts are preparing for a surge in legal battles. Vanessa Cárdenas, executive director of America’s Voice, an immigration advocacy group, has stated, “The totality of these actions is to make life so hard for immigrants that they are left with two options: stay in the US and be subject to presidential demagoguery … or leave their lives here.” The fear among Gambian immigrants is palpable, with many now attending “Know Your Rights” sessions organized by community groups to understand their legal options and protections.
The impact of these policies extends beyond the immediate threat of deportation. Families are bracing for potential separation, with many Gambians in the US having U.S.-born children.
“The emotional and economic toll on these families could be profound, with children potentially left in limbo if their parents are deported,” Gambian, with knowledge of the US Immigration policy, told Alkamba Times.
Moreover, the economic implications are significant. Like many others, Gambian immigrants contribute to various sectors of the US economy, many of whom serve in the US military and state and federal institutions. Their potential removal could exacerbate existing labor shortages in industries like agriculture, construction, and service, where they often fill critical roles.
Critics argue that these executive orders not only contravene long-standing legal norms but also ignore the practical challenges of mass deportation, such as the need for extensive cooperation from other countries to accept deportees. Legal challenges are anticipated, with organizations like the ACLU vowing to contest any orders they deem unconstitutional or violating human rights.
” With the recent changes in administration, there has been an increase in news and rumors circulating. If you have a pending application with USCIS or the immigration court, including asylum, withholding of removal, or adjustment of status application, you can remain in the US until your case is decided. Please avoid the confusion caused by unverified information or scare tactics,” an Immigration Attorney representing many Gambian and Senegalese immigrants in Washington state said in an email to his client and seen by Alkamba Times.
As the situation unfolds, community leaders and advocates call for more humane immigration policies recognizing immigrants’ contributions while balancing national security concerns. They urge comprehensive reform rather than what they describe as a “shock-and-awe” approach to immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration, however, remains steadfast in its commitment to enforce these policies, claiming they are essential for national security and public safety.
The following weeks and months will be crucial in determining how these executive orders will be implemented and contested in the courts and by immigrant communities across the US.
