ORLANDO, Fla. – A day after President Trump signed several executive orders focusing on immigration, dozens of people were lined up outside Orlando’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Delegates Drive.
Hours after taking the oath of office, President Trump signed several executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, resuming the construction of the border wall, and suspending the U.S. refugee admissions program.
Horacio Dominguez, whose step-daughter was meeting with immigration workers in Orlando, said he had mixed feelings about the changes.
It’s definitely going to bring a lot of fear to the community," Dominguez said. “If you’re going to come into this country and do good for it, welcome. But if you’re going to come in and do harm (and) take advantage of the system, you’ve got no place in this.”
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As an immigrant from Mexico who is now a U.S. citizen, Dominguez said he sympathized with those at the southern border who are seeking a better life.
“It’s frightening (and) I’d be scared,” Dominguez said. “An hour after he signed the executive order, I was watching the news at the border and people were just breaking down crying.”
President Trump also signed an order to change birthright citizenship requirements, which is protected under the 14th Amendment.
“Can he do it? I don’t know. Will it be right to do it? No,” Dominguez said. “If you’re born in this country, you’re a U.S. citizen. Period.”
Dominguez said he wants to see strengthened border security but also hopes that at least some of the executive orders from President Trump will be challenged in the coming weeks.
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