Fear and Dehumanization: How Trump’s Immigration Policies Are Shaking Arab and Muslim Communities in America

Arab and Muslim communities in the United States are living in a state of shock and deep existential anxiety as a wave of presidential decisions reshapes immigration policy and political discourse. These measures have gone beyond dismantling the pillars of the so-called “American Dream”—such as ending the diversity visa lottery—and have entered what many describe as a phase of official dehumanization in political rhetoric.

Tensions Rise in Minnesota and Michigan

President Donald Trump’s recent description of Somali immigrants as “garbage” sent shockwaves through Muslim communities, particularly in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali populations in the country. Community leaders stressed that the remark was not a verbal slip, but a dangerous signal that normalizes open racism.

A civil rights activist told Al-Hawadeth:“When a head of state describes human beings as waste, he removes both the legal and moral restraints on violence against them in the streets.”

The Geography of Fear: Where Will Deportations Begin?

Arab communities in cities such as Dearborn, Michigan, and Paterson, New Jersey, are anxiously awaiting the launch of what the administration calls the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. The central question now is: who will be targeted first?

• Recent border crossers: Those who entered the U.S. in recent months

• People with records: Even minor infractions, such as traffic violations, may now be used as grounds for deportation

• Diversity visa holders: Anxiety has spread among recent green card recipients amid fears of legal reviews and possible revocations

Community Response: Legal and Political Mobilization

• Mosques and Islamic centers have become emergency hubs, offering legal guidance and “Know Your Rights” workshops

• Political reassessment: Some Arab American figures who supported Trump during the elections have begun publicly reconsidering their positions, saying promises of “peace and prosperity” have turned into “pursuit and public shaming”

Trump’s Iron Grip: A Summary of 2025 Immigration Policies

The year 2025 has marked a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy—from regulation to closure and mass deportation. Key decisions include:

• Termination of the Diversity Visa (Lottery) Program: Shut down entirely under the pretext of security concerns and replaced with a so-called “merit-based system”

• “Largest Deportation Campaign in History”: Revival of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records or alleged affiliations

• Ending Birthright Citizenship: An executive order denying automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents—now facing major legal challenges

• Expanded Travel Ban: Reinstating and broadening restrictions on entry from several countries, with extreme vetting targeting Arab and African nationals

• Asylum Freeze: Suspension of asylum processing at the southern border and reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy

Dehumanization as Policy

Trump’s recent rhetoric has drawn fierce domestic and international condemnation for crossing red lines in political discourse:

• “Garbage” Rhetoric: Referring to immigrants—particularly Somalis—as “waste dumped into America” shifts the debate from policy to the denial of basic human dignity, fueling hatred and street-level racism

• Family Separation: The return of policies that separate children from parents as a deterrent, described by human rights organizations as a crime against humanity carried out under legal cover.

Know Your Rights: Safety Guidance for 2025

• Remain silent: You have the constitutional right not to speak to ICE officers. Do not answer questions about your birthplace or how you entered the U.S.

• Do not open the door: Immigration officers cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge—not an ICE document. Ask to see it under the door.

• Do not sign anything: Officers may pressure you to sign “voluntary departure” forms. Never sign documents without a lawyer present.

• Emergency planning: Keep copies of legal documents in a safe place and designate a trusted person to care for your children or manage finances in case of detention