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Fear is the daily reality of being undocumented in America

Undocumented residents in Yakima tell KING 5 they live in fear of deportation, being separated from their families, and sent back to countries they barely know.

YAKIMA, Wash. — First light finds James already deep in his routine. He heats up tortillas and sprinkles cheese on top of them. Makes coffee, seemingly at the same time. 

A quick breakfast and a check of the weather later, he's out the door for work. It's around 6 a.m.

James is undocumented, so the simple task of going to work carries a risk. Before he starts driving, he does a quick Sign of the Cross. One wrong encounter with immigration enforcement is all it would take for him to lose everything. 

"I'm afraid... when I see the cars that look similar to ICE," James said. 

For years, fear lived in the background. Now it rides shotgun everywhere James goes. 

Across town, Loretta, also undocumented, keeps busy while she waits for her work permit to be renewed. She bakes cakes and crochets purses and scarves for people to buy. When she does have her work permit, she works at a warehouse nearby.

Rosa, Loretta's daughter is a U.S. citizen. The two are inseparable and live next door to each other. Every day, Rosa worries about her mother. What would happen if Loretta were to be deported to Mexico?

"It's going to be like a home without the family," Rosa said. "It's a really hard thought."

"What she said is sad," Loretta said with tears welling up in her eyes. "Going over there is sad. I'm going to miss them. They're my kids and not being there with them, just thinking about it -- it's sad."

"I hate to say it, but I feel guilt for being a citizen because I cannot help my mom," Rosa added. "If she goes-- that's it. It's just her. Am I going to sit here and watch them take [her?] What right do I have? It's very, very hard."

James' family fears the same thing. He supports his sister, nephew and two nieces. His nephew doesn't hesitate to say that James is like a father figure to him. With so much to lose, the family has had many difficult conversations. 

"Having to explain to my kids that at any moment, that everything might be over," James' sister said. "They're going to have to say bye to everything."

Malou Chavez, the executive director of the nonprofit, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said James and Loretta represent thousands of immigrants living with unprecedented uncertainty.  

 "Many of our community members are going to be left without a breadwinner or someone who is contributing to the family income," Chavez said. "But aside from the financials and economic impact, there's also the emotional, mental health and also medical impact that we're seeing on our client communities."

President Trump set a goal to deport one million undocumented immigrants in 2025.  

According to NBC News’ Immigration Tracking, ICE deported 11,000 people in February, 12,300 in March and approximately 17,200 in April.  

The Migration Policy Institute projects that number could reach 500,000 by the end of this year, compared to 271,484 deportations in 2024 — an 84% increase. 

"I've lived here since I was six years old, I'm practically raised here," Loretta said. "If I go to Mexico, I know I'm going to feel bad because I don't know their cultures-- I don't know nothing. I'm going to be like a stranger over there."

Home, for both Loretta and James, is in Yakima, where community is strong. The resilience of the community was evident during the city's annual May Day Parade. Hundreds marched in support of undocumented workers. 

James led the group, despite his fears. 

 "I want to say to all immigrant people, don't be afraid," James said. "Because we want to work together, we win together."

For James, Loretta, and thousands of others, each day is a step toward hope. A hope that one day, their dreams and contributions are recognized, and living in fear will no longer be part of the American experience. 
 
"Not only for me, all the immigrant people, for all the United States, I come to find my dreams," James said. 

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