“It will no longer be just deportation; there will be serious criminal consequences,” declared Donald Trump at a recent rally in Michigan. With that phrase, the former president once again set off alarm bells among millions of Hispanic immigrants in the United States.
During his May 4, 2025 speech, Trump proposed tightening immigration policies. His plan includes jail time for immigrants who re-enter the country after being deported, a change that would directly affect thousands of Latinos facing irregular immigration proceedings.
What exactly are you proposing?
The proposal, presented as part of its “Law and Order at the Border” platform, proposes penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison for those who illegally re-enter after a previous deportation.
Currently, such action is considered a federal misdemeanor (known as reentry after deportation) with penalties ranging from 2 to 5 years, depending on the criminal history.
Trump seeks to transform this offense into a mandatory punishable offense with no possibility of parole.
“Repeat offenders don’t deserve a second chance,” he said, backed by conservative lawmakers such as Senator Tom Cotton.
Who would be affected?
Buzzy
The measure would hit hard at many Hispanic immigrants who, after being deported, return for family, employment or humanitarian reasons.
According to data from the Department of Homeland Security, there were more than 46,000 illegal re-entry arrests in 2024.
Activists warn that this plan further criminalizes those who already face complex judicial systems.
“It’s one thing to enforce the law; it’s another to use it to viciously punish the immigrant who is just trying to survive,” said Marielena Hincapié, an immigration attorney and director of the Justice Action Center, in an interview with NBC News.
Pro-immigrant groups such as United We Dream and RAICES have condemned the proposal as “ignoring the structural causes of migration” and “exacerbating fear in vulnerable communities”.
Also of concern is the political use of the immigration issue.
Analysts such as Fernand Amandi, quoted by The New York Times, point out that these proposals seek to mobilize the conservative vote by criminalizing the immigrant.
What if you are undocumented?
Immigration lawyers recommend:
Check your current legal status.
Preventing re-entries after deportations.
Prepare a legal plan in advance.
La medida golpearía de lleno a muchos inmigrantes hispanos
QuéOnnda.com
The fear is real, but so is the right to defense.
There are legal remedies, and being informed is the first step in protecting yourself and your loved ones.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
