Earlier this year, President Donald Trump was set to impose a 25% tariff on all goods coming into the United States from Mexico on Saturday, Feb. 1. Combined with the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) door-to-door visits in Ventura and neighboring counties, undocumented individuals are being left in a difficult situation, which many in the community are beginning to speak out on.
These changes on the national level would have affected Moorpark College students, as well as alumni, with the signing of an executive order calling for a federal funding freeze, announced alongside tariffs over Canadian and Mexican imports.
The executive order on federal funding has since been rescinded, which brings peace of mind to the countless students and individuals who rely on programs which are federally funded, such as WIC or the Federal Pell Grant Program.
In a statement on Feb. 17 on the social platform X, President Trump announced a new “reciprocal tariff” which would charge countries for any unfair harms that are given to U.S. goods. While not in effect as of now, the secretary of state, secretary of commerce, secretary of the treasury and the United States trade representative have reportedly been informed of this request.
As for the tariffs on Mexican goods, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has struck a deal in order to push back the tariffs set on imported goods to March. This deal calls for Mexico to strengthen their military presence at the U.S. Mexico border, and calls for the U.S. to prevent high-powered weapons from entering Mexico.
This strengthening of the southern border comes at a time where President Trump has appointed a border czar, a position given to an official to coordinate the government’s response to a specific issue; in this case, immigration. Border Czar Tom Homan has ordered an increase of ICE activity in communities with high counts of undocumented individuals in order to send them back to their country of origin.
With Mexico’s 107th anniversary of “Día de la Constitución,” meaning Day of the Constitution, occurring Monday, Feb. 3 following closely after the reforms, many had come out to express their concerns nationwide, with a day coined “Un Día Sin Mexicanos” or “A Day Without Mexicans.”
The movement was spread online and caught on locally where over 100 individuals met at the corner of New Los Angeles Avenue and Spring Road in Moorpark to share their message.
The purpose of the protest tackled many fronts of contention, with many sharing the possibility of being deported as their greatest threat. Dayanna Rodriguez, a concerned citizen, had the following to say on the situation.
“I am here and everyone else is here because of the recent sightings of ICE in Moorpark,” Rodriguez said. “We have seen and heard of Hispanic individuals who have been getting sent back to either Mexico or Central America.”
Another citizen disappointed with the changes he’s seen in his vicinity is Roberto, who chose to keep his last name private.
“My parents, who I’m thankful came to this country, worked in the field for many, many years. And because of them we are here, able to live a better life,” Roberto said. “I have lots of family, friends and neighbors who have a lot of fear of being deported. The people are not going outside as they are scared to leave and aren’t selling fruit, flowers or ice cream in the streets since they are scared of coming into work.”
The mass absences left from individuals staying indoors have also begun to affect local businesses, as seen with a local bakery who understands the situation being faced by their consumers. In their packaging for their pastries, they have begun to share on “Red Cards” the steps to take if an ICE agent were to approach an individual’s home.
These red cards, distributed by the bakery, have gained attention online as they inform individuals of their rights under the U.S. Constitution. The original red cards can be traced back to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center and have been shared online for free.
The Moorpark College webpage for DREAMers has information available for individuals who may be affected by new policies and crackdowns enacted by the Trump administration.
