Concern today in minority communities about what President Donald Trump’s administration will mean for them. ABC Action News spoke with some members of the Hispanic and Muslim communities and also spoke with an expert about the changes they can realistically expect to see.
A diverse crowd stood in solidarity today in the heart of Ybor City. United in a moment of encouragement and protest. Within the crowd was Jacky Cruz.
“It scared me, it scares me now," she said of Trump's triumph.
She doesn't hide the fact she’s undocumented wearing a black t-shirt identifying her as such. Born in Mexico, she tells me she’s lived without fear until now.
"We are in a panic mode, we have to take actions. Make plans to plan for the worst," said Cruz.
An activist, she fought in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, a policy which protected her.
Her biggest fear, seems to be 11 million people ending up in local jails before being processed off in detention centers and eventually getting deported. But are those concerns valid?
"If you are asking me whether they should have concerns. Yeah, they should be concerned," said Jeffrey Swartz.
He's a professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He says congress will probably not pay for a wall. He adds a massive deportation is not likely. But a deportation force and an uptick in those deported, especially those convicted of a crime, is definitely possible. He says he expects to see DACA revoked with Trump's first few days in office.
Majda Rahmanovic worries about a Muslim ban but is optimistic about the future.
"It was just threats, for show. That we are better as America," she says of her hopes.
Swartz doesn't think a Muslim ban will go far. He says it will immediately be challenged in court where it will probably be ruled unconstitutional.
He advises those feeling hopelessness to trust in the constitution and to get involved in local civic action.
