Divided Arizona contends with Trump's sweeping border plan

In Arizona, the topic of immigration has become a hot-button issue, especially with Donald Trump making it a central part of his campaign. Trump has proposed a sweeping immigration plan that he claims he will implement immediately if he is elected president. His proposals include mass deportations and a significant crackdown on illegal border crossings. This has left many residents in Arizona, a state that is sharply divided on immigration issues, wondering what these changes could mean for their lives. In a Phoenix home, the Villalobos family, who immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico, gathered around the dinner table to discuss the implications of Trump's election victory. As they enjoyed a meal of empanadas, beans, and rice, the atmosphere was heavy with emotion. Monica Villalobos, a 45-year-old family member, expressed her disappointment, saying, 'I really had hope for humanity, and I feel like we were let down. ' The family is concerned that Trump's plans could lead to the separation of families, as he has promised the largest mass deportations in U. S. history. Trump has also vowed to secure the border and stop what he refers to as a 'migrant invasion. ' Additionally, he plans to hire 10,000 Border Patrol agents and request a 10% pay raise for them. Many voters in Arizona prioritize immigration and border security, but opinions on how to address these issues vary widely. Arizona was once a Republican stronghold, but Trump lost the state in the 2020 election to Joe Biden. The upcoming 2024 election remains uncertain, reflecting the deep divisions among residents. Recently, voters approved a Republican-backed measure that grants local law enforcement the authority to enforce federal immigration laws and arrest individuals who cross the border illegally. This measure faced opposition from Democratic and Latino groups, who argue it could lead to racial profiling. The Villalobos family is not alone in their concerns about Trump's mass deportation proposals. There are approximately 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the U. S. , many of whom have established their lives here for years. Alexandra de Leon, a 19-year-old university student and niece of Monica, described the prospect of mass deportations as 'terrifying. ' She stated, 'It’s your neighbours, it's the people you see in the grocery store, it's your teachers, it's your friend’s parents. ' The thought of families being torn apart is heartbreaking for her. One of the notable trends from the recent election was Trump's increased support among Latino voters, with a significant 14 percentage-point rise compared to the 2020 election, according to exit polls. Jorge Gonzalez, Sr, who moved his family to Arizona from Mexico two decades ago, believes that Trump's policies will benefit him as a business owner. He owns a body shop in Phoenix and thinks that Trump's approach to immigration will help him. However, his son, Jorge Jr, who works in the same industry, is skeptical about the feasibility of Trump's mass deportation plan. He remarked, 'That's impossible! ' and pointed out the challenges of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants. Jorge Jr emphasized that it would require extensive resources, including planes, food, detention centers, and more law enforcement officers. He believes that many people in their community have developed a thick skin regarding immigration discussions, as they have learned to separate words from actions. Sheriff Mark Lamb from Pinal County, a conservative area near Phoenix, expressed optimism about Trump's proposals. He believes that if Trump wins the presidency, it will deter migrants from coming to the U. S. He stated, 'Once you start holding people accountable, securing the border, you're going to start to see a lot of these folks will go back on their own. ' However, the practical implementation of Trump's policies remains uncertain, and many are questioning whether the necessary resources are available to carry them out effectively.