Sul Ross Student Discusses Increased Tension in Immigration Enforcement Under Trump Administration
By: Maya Tinajero, Skyline Editor
ALPINE – The Skyline had the opportunity to sit down with Jesus Duque, a Sul Ross sophomore who came to the United States from Venezuela when he was only 12 years old. Duque discussed the increased tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, sharing his personal experiences as a refugee under asylum protocol.
Describing his move from Venezuela to the U.S., Duque said, “It was a lot to adapt to a new culture; new friends, new school, new everything, so it was a lot in the beginning.” He also shared how the lack of support from the Venezuelan government resulted in the wide dispersal of many Venezuelan immigrants across the globe.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2023 approximately 770,000 Venezuelan immigrants lived in the United States. Duque has not traveled back to Venezuela since his move and does not plan on returning under the current administration. “Right now, I’m under asylum protocol as a refugee, so I can’t go back to Venezuela in the near future as long as the current government is over there because I am fearful for my life.”
Duque spoke of the “extreme force” used by ICE officers in recent months, “It is kind of scary because you see all the news and reports of ICE agents being deployed around different cities, in airports, and everywhere, so you are kind of scared to go out and be free in a sense.”
Mentioning the voluntary nature of ICE recruitment, Duque said, “I don’t see the recruitment as really controlled, I think it’s like a voluntary type of force and I think that’s scary because people can just walk up and say, ‘I want to be an ICE agent.’”
According to the U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement website, those wishing to apply as an agent must meet certain requirements which vary by position. These requirements can range from medical exams, fitness exams, to oral board interviews. However, the department has recently come under fire for their lack of vetting. The Associated Press found in an investigation that several officers had histories of unpaid debts resulting in legal action, two had filed for bankruptcy, and three others had faced lawsuits alleging misconduct in prior law enforcement jobs.
When asked how this increasing tension could affect personal relationships such as those with friends or peers, Duque said that misinformation is dangerous. “In college there are some people who are misinformed. I have talked to a few colleagues or friends that do think that every person that comes across the border crosses illegally.”
“The process should be easier for some people, because not everyone has the same ability to ask for help.”
Duque also acknowledged the intricacy of his situation, “I don’t think that there is a right way or wrong way, I just think there is a process and I understand that’s why Trump has so many policies because he wants people to do it the ‘right way’ but I got to understand that not many can go on a plane and buy a ticket.”
“If your family is going hungry you are going to go through any means necessary to protect them in a sense and I also feel for them.” Duque said. Mentioning the number of resources and time it takes to gain asylum and citizenship in the U.S. he said, “The process should be easier for some people, because not everyone has the same ability to ask for help.”
Warning of the current lack of empathy under this administration Duque said, “It is really important to see both sides of the coin, I try to remain neutral and not jump to conclusions, but I know many (people) who do.” President Trump has consistently used broad and often derogatory terms such as “animals” and “criminals” to refer to immigrants, Duque referenced these generalizations and said, “Just because one (immigrant) is a criminal then we are all criminals, and it is completely wrong.”