Racial healing overshadowed by deportation fears INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — President Trump’s executive orders focusing on the southern border and immigration is fueling fear in minority communities, especially among undocumented immigrants. Leaders warn these actions could lead to family separations and worsen racial inequalities. “It’s a lot of crying. If I’m being very personal about it, it’s genuinely a lot of crying because we don’t know what could happen. Constitutionally, it could take a while. But, we’ve also seen in the last Presidency how things went fast,” Maria Yuquilima, an immigration advocate, said. The executive orders have sowed uncertainty among families who reside in the U.S. without proper documentation. Many individuals – often fleeing violence or poverty in their home countries – see these measures as a direct threat to their safety and stability. Yuquilima said she can see the impacts on her friends and family. “I was distraught by this because there was already a distrust in the government. Whether it’s local or federal, immigration policy is federal. It really can impact us at the local level because if community trust is not there with our officers, even though there are officers or city officials from immigrant backgrounds, it just breaks that trust,” Yuquilima said. Calls for compassion and solidarity came Tuesday from organizations during the National Day of Racial Healing. The Peace Learning Center emphasized storytelling and dialogue, showcasing how systemic racism impacts minority populations, including undocumented individuals. “Right now, our hearts are broken because we know there’s a lot of children, mainly black and brown children from other countries who are new here. We want to welcome them here and make them feel safe. We want them to have a free right to a great education,” Claire Wildhack-Nolan, director of equity learning for The Peace Learning Center, said. Advocates say despite the looming impact of these executive orders, they remain committed to fighting for justice and inclusion. “I always recommend everybody to talk to their nearest immigration lawyer, get that legal advice you need to feel comfortable, and tap into local community resources because we want to help. We want to ensure our families stay together,” Yuquilima said.