Amy (from the Smoke Signal): I’m just gonna jump straight into the first question then. First question: how have the recent immigration enforcement changes impacted you–if there was any impact?
C.A: I don’t think it actually impacted me personally. I’ve heard those advertisements on the radio telling illegal immigrants to surrender themselves. That’s the first time ever heard in this country.
Amy: What is your biggest concern regarding the changes with the ICE program, the changes regarding the ICE program, or in of the changes that you’ve seen on the media.
C.A.: I understand those illegal immigrants have their life situations, but I have to say, I’m glad someone stepped out and did something about the illegal immigration situation. The law is there for us to enforce, not to be treated as a joke.
Amy: Have you or someone close to you had an experience with immigration deportation, like Visa suspension or Visa rejection issues?
C.A.: No.
Amy: Seeing the immigration like crack down increased, especially in other areas– not Fremont specifically– along with a lot of violence following that crackdown, what do you imagine future immigration enforcement to look like in this country?
C.A.: I think that Trump is not going to stay in the office forever. My feeling is that when he steps down and stepped out the office, … the chaos is going to resume.
Amy: Why do you think the chaos is going to resume?
C.A: I think the Democratic Party supports those illegal immigrants. Once the Democratic Party takes office, things will go back to how they were.
Amy: How does the vision of things going back to how they were look like for you? Do you have any examples or describe the environment before, I guess, the Trump administration, in this case.
C.A.: Before then, I’ve seen people say they’ve crossed the border and they came here and got their benefits. I have seen that at work because I’m a nurse. I’ve seen that. Like I said, I understand people have their life situations, but what they did was completely ignoring the American law.
Amy: What do you want the readers of the Smoke Signal or like people in the Bay Area to know or understand about the immigrant community right now in general?
C.A.: I feel the raid is just temporary. It is half of an action and half of a show.
Amy: Is there any direct message that you would like to put out there regarding the aspect about the message of the show?
C.A.: I want to say, because over here in America, we see a lot of conflicting opinions in the media, a lot of them speak out of context, [and] they try to manipulate the viewer or audience opinion to get their goal. I think as citizens, we need to be vigilant about those manipulations.
Amy: What examples of those manipulations have you seen online personally?
C.A.: For example, when there is a conflict going on, they may say, ‘Oh, the police are killing this, are hurting this child, and are capturing these people,’ but you always want to speak within the context and to find out the details before you speak out [on] whether the police is right or wrong. A lot of the media or viewers bypass that process and just jump into judgment. I think all citizens, especially young people, need to learn how to analyze and how to understand what the world effect is.
Amy: For many people, renewing visas and maintaining a legal status has become more complicated recently. How does this growing uncertainty regarding the visa process affect your long term plans in education, career or life in the US?
C.A: I don’t think that has any effect on my plans.
Amy: Do you think that it has become more difficult to renew a student or work visa–if that applies to you?
C.A.: I would assume so.
Amy: Final question: with increasing crackdowns, how are you and your neighbors looking out for each other during times of crisis like this? We often see a lot of community support, so could you share a moment —if there are any –where your community stepped up for you or another person?
C.A.: I haven’t encountered any situations like that.
Amy: Okay, perfect. Thank you. That’s it!
C.A.: You’re welcome.
Amy: Thank you so much.