‘People are scared’: Trump signs 42 executive orders, raises ICE raid concerns nationwide
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- President Donald Trump has signed 42 executive orders since he returned to the Oval Office, with several targeting immigration enforcement. 8News sat down with a Richmond-based expert to learn more about what people should expect. "People are really scared," said Naureen Hyder, a Richmond immigration attorney at Hyder Immigration Law Firm. "But a lot of those fears can be quelled by understanding what is actually happening versus what the rhetoric is." Hyder said that, while the orders sound daunting, the process of implementing them is not immediate. "In order to take effect, they have to infiltrate each locality of each state -- which is a lot of logistical process that has to go through," Hyder said. "The process has been initiated, but it's not happening overnight. So it's very hard to look at people and say, 'Don't be scared,' because those orders are out there." Trump detailed these plans in the hours following his inauguration, saying he would reinstate his previous "Remain in Mexico" policy for asylum seekers. RELATED: Immigration-advocacy organization responds to Youngkin’s ‘no sanctuary cities’ proposal "With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," Trump said during his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20. Trump's approach to immigration enforcement includes sending U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct raids in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Many of these are sanctuary cities, meaning their local law enforcement does not cooperate with federal immigration officials. "Our governor has been pretty clear that Virginia is not a sanctuary state," Hyder said. "But the reality is, each locality's law enforcement will determine their involvement with federal immigration officials." Former Mayor Levar Stoney signed directives in 2017 to protect immigrants from federal immigration actions, and current Mayor Danny Avula has stated his administration will not participate in Trump’s immigration enforcement plans. Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget for 2025 includes a ban on sanctuary cities in Virginia. This would mean that Richmond -- or any other locality -- could lose state funding if it does not comply with federal immigration requests. MORE: How will Youngkin determine which localities aren’t complying with ICE? Despite the potential for increased ICE activity, Hyder said she believes it is unlikely that Richmond will see major raids, especially in the immediate future. However, she shared some tips for individuals who may find themselves in difficult situations. "Keep it simple," she said. "You don’t have to open the door unless they have a search warrant. The search warrant needs to have your name, address and [must be] signed by a judge." She shared additional resources and things you should know if ICE were to show up at your workplace or home in the future.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- President Donald Trump has signed 42 executive orders since he returned to the Oval Office, with several targeting immigration enforcement. 8News sat down with a Richmond-based expert to learn more about what people should expect.
"People are really scared," said Naureen Hyder, a Richmond immigration attorney at Hyder Immigration Law Firm. "But a lot of those fears can be quelled by understanding what is actually happening versus what the rhetoric is."
Hyder said that, while the orders sound daunting, the process of implementing them is not immediate.
"In order to take effect, they have to infiltrate each locality of each state -- which is a lot of logistical process that has to go through," Hyder said. "The process has been initiated, but it's not happening overnight. So it's very hard to look at people and say, 'Don't be scared,' because those orders are out there."
Trump detailed these plans in the hours following his inauguration, saying he would reinstate his previous "Remain in Mexico" policy for asylum seekers.
RELATED: Immigration-advocacy organization responds to Youngkin’s ‘no sanctuary cities’ proposal
"With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense," Trump said during his inauguration ceremony on Monday, Jan. 20.
Trump's approach to immigration enforcement includes sending U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to conduct raids in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Many of these are sanctuary cities, meaning their local law enforcement does not cooperate with federal immigration officials.
"Our governor has been pretty clear that Virginia is not a sanctuary state," Hyder said. "But the reality is, each locality's law enforcement will determine their involvement with federal immigration officials."
Former Mayor Levar Stoney signed directives in 2017 to protect immigrants from federal immigration actions, and current Mayor Danny Avula has stated his administration will not participate in Trump’s immigration enforcement plans.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget for 2025 includes a ban on sanctuary cities in Virginia. This would mean that Richmond -- or any other locality -- could lose state funding if it does not comply with federal immigration requests.
MORE: How will Youngkin determine which localities aren’t complying with ICE?
Despite the potential for increased ICE activity, Hyder said she believes it is unlikely that Richmond will see major raids, especially in the immediate future. However, she shared some tips for individuals who may find themselves in difficult situations.
"Keep it simple," she said. "You don’t have to open the door unless they have a search warrant. The search warrant needs to have your name, address and [must be] signed by a judge."
She shared additional resources and things you should know if ICE were to show up at your workplace or home in the future.
