Several hours after a regular school day, P.S. 019 reopened its doors to residents in Corona, Queens for an informational forum. Many attendees, consisting of parents, walked in with children in hand while others brought their younger ones in strollers. As they sat in the auditorium’s old wooden chairs, some were reading the numerous pamphlets they were given at the entrance while others were chatting with other parents about the occasion. As the adults interacted, children ran around and laughed seemingly easing an otherwise tense evening.
Officials finally took their seats on stage introducing the panel, which consisted of various representatives from numerous city agencies. They had arrived to provide information and answer questions focused on the topic of the night: immigration under President Trump.
Although residents had been asked to hold their questions until the end of the panel, one woman stood up from the middle of the audience and asked, “We were told idNYC would be safe for us, but I heard the incoming government can use the information we submitted to find and deport us. Is that true?”
Her question was one of many concerns the audience now felt in every aspect of their lives ever since Donald Trump, who vowed to increase deportations, was elected president.
“It’s a difficult situation. Many people are suffering over thoughts of what will happen such as deportation, having to leave their families, or leaving their children. It’s sad,” said Martha Gualotuna, a resident who was worried about her future as well as those in her community.
Amid increasing worries and fear, officials and community groups have begun responding throughout the city by pledging to protect and defend immigrants.
In Corona, this has shaped into an effort to actively inform immigrants about their rights and provide them with supportive resources, especially as immigrants have increasingly sought immigration counsel after Election Day.
In the cold early morning of Dec. 1, officials from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and local groups stood throughout Corona Plaza handing out handbooks and fliers to residents. Underneath the roar of the 7 train, the material was distributed to residents as they strolled past the plaza on their way to join the morning rush.
The handbook was created by the DCA to provide consumer tips for immigrants about tax preparation, finances, employment agencies and immigration services. In particular, the material was a response to fraudulent immigration services in the area that had provided unreliable legal advice. The problem was alarming not only because many were taken advantage of financially but also because the false advice had jeopardized the cases of some immigrants and resulted in deportation.
“It’s good that people know about this information because honestly there is a lot of fraud, many public notaries and lawyers don’t do the right thing,” said Gualotuna.
Gualotuna herself had been a fraud victim in 2001 when she had filed her immigration case with a lawyer who failed to resolve her status. She was among numerous people who were defrauded and eventually reimbursed damages after lawsuits were filed against the lawyer.
“In these times of fear and worry, there are unscrupulous people who are offering to solve the problems of immigrants but the reality is they are completely unqualified,” said Vicente Mayorga, Civil Rights and Immigration Organizer of Make the Road New York, who was among those distributing material.
“Some people received us well, others are afraid,” said Mayorga. “They believe we are offering something illegal.”
Local elected officials also assisted the distribution and announced their support to the immigrant community in front of numerous news outlets including NY1 News, Univision, and Telemundo.
“The reality is after Election Day there was total fear in our city and why we are here is to let people know that New York will always stand by them,” said District Councilwoman Julissa-Ferraras Copeland.
As part of their efforts in Corona, officials followed the handbook with a forum at P.S. 019 on Dec. 5 for immigrants to learn about their rights under Trump’s presidency. In attendance were representatives from the DCA, Department of Education, NYC Commission of Human Rights, idNYC, New York Police Department, and immigration attorneys, indicating the vast influence Trump could have in terms of immigration.
Throughout the night, officials informed residents about taking necessary precautions such as carrying a valid id and obtaining immigration services from sponsored city groups. In addition, they explained the possible expectations such as the revocation of President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Although residents welcomed the information, it was apparent they still felt uneasy. At the conclusion of the night, many stayed afterwards forming long lines to talk to officials about their own situation until security had to close the school.
“As a mother, I’m worried the most about being taken away from my children. They need me to take care of them and I can’t imagine being separated from them,” said Maria, who was given a pseudonym to protect her identity.
Many parents at the forum like Maria feared providing any personal information more than ever out of fear of putting themselves at risk. The forum was even aware of the issue and allowed questions to be submitted anonymously on paper to make them feel comfortable.
In addition to these city efforts, community groups have also noticed the community’s concerns and stepped up efforts to aid immigrants in Corona.
“We’re doing as much as we can,” said Anthony Posada, a staff attorney from the Legal Aid Society, who was present at the panel to provide legal information.
Posada explained that although he understood immigrants were afraid during this time, the organization had built trust with the Corona community through its collaborations with other groups and presence in other neighborhoods. In addition, he stated their efforts in removing ICE from Rikers Island and denouncing immigrant lawyers that defrauded immigrants were significant in maintaining their reliability.
“Those kinds of actions let the immigrant undocumented community know that we have their back and are in in the fight with them,” said Posada. “That helps us overcome a lot of the bad stereotypes that are sometimes attached to free legal aid services.”
Local community organization, Make the Road New York, has also taken a prominent position in Corona voicing its support of immigrants in the community and preparing them for January.
“Our immediate response was to go out on the streets and inform everyone that those threats to immigrants won’t be allowed to happen,” said Mayorga.
According to Mayorga, the organization has already participated in numerous demonstrations and has several planned in the next few weeks including two trips to Washington D.C. on Dec. 14 as well as Jan. 20, when President-elect Trump will be inaugurated. The movement has also established a presence in the neighborhood, where a demonstration was recently held on Roosevelt Avenue to declare Jackson Heights a hate free zone for all, he said.
“The most important thing right now is that our community needs to come together, organize itself, stay informed, and participate because that’s the best way to be ready,” said Mayorga.
In addition, the organization has used its open weekly forum to promote information among visitors and build a supportive group for those who are afraid.
On the evening of Dec. 8, approximately 50 people filled the seats of the organization’s large reception room. Those in attendance pertained to all age groups, from children with their school bags to seniors who lived in the area. Some were members of the organization, who sat in the front. Others were new to the forum and sat towards the back and sides.
“Well, who’s getting ready to leave?” joked Mayorga as he walked in and was met with laughter from the audience.
As Mayorga opened the forum, he welcomed the audience and asked each person to introduce themselves and their background.
“My name is Carlos and I am from Mexico.”
“My name is Juanna and I am from Ecuador.”
People from numerous backgrounds including Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, Colombia, and even Spain stood and confidently presented themselves, exemplifying the neighborhood’s diverse background and creating a sense of unity among one another despite being from different countries.
Mayorga soon began addressing the overall feelings of the room and asking people how they felt in relation to the results of the election and their current situation.
“Afraid,” replied an audience member.
“We’re all worried aren’t we?” asked Mayorga as he was met with a unanimous yes from the crowd.
Carlos Martinez, a member of the organization, expressed his concerns to Mayorga and the audience over recent news and felt that racism against the hispanic community was more evident.
“It makes me feel like things are not going to go well, he said.
Another resident said she heard rumors that some teachers were willing report undocumented parents. She also noticed incidents in the community where people were insulting Spanish speakers. “We have to worry not only about deportation, but racism as well,” she said.
Mayorga explained those reasons indicated the importance of spreading information and said the community still has basic rights regardless of their legal status.
“We need the community to be informed,” Mayorga said as he encouraged the audience to attend forums and spread the word to others as well as participating in demonstrations.
Despite this, some feared they might be arrested for attending protests. However, Mayorga reassured their safety as he said the organization acts responsibly and attains necessary permits and supervises events.
At the conclusion of the forum, Mayorga reminded the community to remain positive and active during the next few weeks.
“We’re here to stay neighbors, we’re not leaving,” he said.
Juana Donato, who attended the forum, felt hopeful despite having experienced the effects of deportation firsthand when her husband was deported 20 years ago.
“It’s not easy but we need to keep fighting and moving forward,” she said.