By Dessalines Ferdinand
The hostile climate cultivated by immigration policies during the Trump administration continues to exert a chilling effect on communities of color—extending its reach even to American citizens. While much of the public discourse has centered on undocumented immigrants, a troubling and often overlooked reality persists: U.S. citizens, particularly Black and Latino Americans, remain vulnerable to the expansive reach of immigration enforcement.
Documented cases reveal that U.S. citizens—disproportionately Black and Latino—have been wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The circumstances surrounding these detentions often involve mistaken identity, the absence of documentation during encounters with authorities, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These incidents not only reflect administrative failure but also underscore a systemic issue: the role of implicit racial bias in the enforcement of immigration law. For many citizens of color, their American identity is treated not as an unassailable fact, but as a claim to be questioned.
This reality serves as a stark warning, particularly for African American and Latino communities with immigrant backgrounds or perceived foreignness due to language, appearance, or cultural markers. For these individuals, international travel can present unexpected risks. A routine trip abroad may devolve into a bureaucratic ordeal if a returning citizen is met by an immigration officer inclined to doubt their status. In such encounters, even a valid U.S. passport may not suffice to dispel suspicion.
Naturalized citizens, especially those who speak English with a noticeable accent or bear foreign-sounding names, often face disproportionate scrutiny at ports of entry. Their legitimacy as Americans—despite having undergone the legal naturalization process—is frequently subjected to racialized questioning. These individuals are often asked to produce their naturalization certificates, undergo invasive interrogations regarding their travel, or endure delays while their citizenship is verified. These experiences, while deeply humiliating, reflect a broader erosion of the principles that are supposed to accompany U.S. citizenship: dignity, protection, and equal treatment under the law.
It is critical to recognize that many of these naturalized citizens have lived in the United States for decades, raised families, contributed economically, and fully participated in civic life. Yet, under the enduring influence of Trump-era enforcement norms, they remain susceptible to differential treatment. The convergence of race, immigration status, and linguistic difference becomes a de facto trigger for additional scrutiny—a reality at odds with the ideals of equal protection and nondiscrimination enshrined in the Constitution.
Throughout the Trump presidency, numerous reports detailed a pattern of increased scrutiny at U.S. borders, impacting not just undocumented individuals but also green card holders and naturalized citizens. Legal experts at the time urged these groups to remain vigilant, advising them to carry critical documentation and be prepared for intensified questioning, even over minor administrative issues.
In the current climate, it is prudent for naturalized citizens—particularly those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups—to travel with certified copies of their naturalization documents and educate themselves about their rights upon reentry into the United States. Simultaneously, there is a pressing need for community organizations, civil rights advocates, and policymakers to call for greater oversight, accountability, and anti-bias training within immigration enforcement agencies.
The underlying truth is both simple and sobering: in contemporary America, legal citizenship does not always equate to equal protection—especially for Black and Latino Americans who bear visible or audible markers of foreignness. Confronting this reality requires more than awareness; it demands organized advocacy, systemic reform, and a recommitment to the constitutional promise that all citizens, regardless of background, are entitled to equal treatment before the law.
