Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro vows to protect migrant communities from Trump

US: As the new Trump administration prepares strict immigration measures, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has promised to defend immigrant communities and people’s rights. Donald Trump prioritized immigration issues throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, promising to implement the most extensive mass deportation operation in American history.

The president-elect has pledged to carry out his immigration agenda on Day One of his re-entry into the White House on January 20. Rebuilding the wall between the United States and Mexico and abolishing the catch-and-release policy, which allows border guards to send detained migrants into the country while they await legal proceedings, are two of his plans.

In order to protect our Commonwealth from any federal measures that would endanger Pennsylvania families and towns, the Shapiro Administration is planning for every possible situation and taking action,” Bonder said.

“As Attorney General, Josh Shapiro worked to protect Pennsylvanians from actions that threatened everything from workers’ rights and their ability to keep their wages to our clean air and pure water to our voting rights and a woman’s freedom to choose.”

The governor was known for criticizing Trump’s “dangerous” ideas, according to Shapiro’s spokeswoman.

He stated, “The governor has a history of successfully opposing harmful policies that defraud Pennsylvanians as well as collaborating with leaders from both parties to achieve achievements.

“As Governor, he will keep working to defend our democracy, defend our fundamental rights, and ensure we continue the legacy of William Penn by building a Commonwealth that is warm and welcoming for all—and where all Pennsylvanians have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.”

Shapiro and other Democratic leaders are getting ready to fight any federal action, but Trump’s staff is still committed to changing immigration policy.

“President Trump will use all federal powers and work with state authorities to implement the largest deportation operation of criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families,” Karoline Leavitt, who will be White House press secretary during Trump’s second term, told the media.

“President Trump was mandated to carry out the pledges he made during the campaign, such as deporting migrant criminals and reestablishing our economic dominance, after the American people overwhelmingly re-elected him. He’ll deliver.

According to the American Immigration Council, about 85,000 U.S. residents in Pennsylvania have at least one illegal family member.

Since they make up 9% of Pennsylvania’s labor in a variety of sectors, immigrants are vital to the state’s economy.

Trump’s deportation proposal, however, has sparked widespread “panic” among farmers who fear losing employees and customers.

The American Business Immigration Coalition estimates that if Trump’s main promise is implemented, agricultural production would drop by $30 billion to $60 billion.

Leaders in agriculture and restaurant owners are pushing for a balanced strategy that helps companies while protecting the labor force that is vital to their existence.

Mass deportations, according to Maine dairy farmer Jennifer Tilton Flood, would be a “catastrophic nightmare” for the American agriculture sector, especially the dairy industry, which depends significantly on immigrant labor.

The American Immigration Council estimates that mass deportations might cost the United States $315 billion for a single attempt.

The migrant population has been defended by Democrats in blue areas as the country prepares for such legislative changes.

“You come for my people, you come through me,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois.

In order to strengthen California’s legal resources to defend civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families, California Governor Gavin Newsom summoned a special session of state lawmakers.

“California’s values are being threatened, and we will not remain passive. We know how to handle this situation because California has experienced it before. Following Trump’s election win, Newsom released a statement saying, “We are ready, and we will do everything in our power to make sure Californians have the resources and support they need to prosper.”

The ramifications of these immigration laws are anticipated to reverberate across families, companies, and communities as Republicans and Democrats engage in an ideological battle, setting the tone for the United States’ future immigration and human rights policy.