Trump’s re-election is a gut punch to immigrant communities across the U.S., creating even more fears that many people have been carrying for so long. For countless immigrants, it feels like proof that the prejudice they’ve endured isn’t going anywhere.

As a Latina college student at UMass Boston, I’ve seen firsthand how racism impacts the communities I’m a part of. This isn’t just about politics; it’s about the right to live without fear.

I wanted to hear directly from people of various ages and ethnicities about their experiences with the barriers they face. I created a Google Form and received several responses from people who shared stories that reveal the harsh realities of living as a minority in this country.

Everyday racism is a consistent issue facing American minorities. Several people described being verbally harassed just for existing. One story from a Brazilian respondent stood out. They said their high school teacher unfairly targeted them during a group project, accusing them of slacking off while ignoring the other students who weren’t working either. When the student pushed back, the teacher replied, “Is this how they do it in Brazil?” It’s vile, racist, and infuriating.

Haitian respondents specifically reported being stereotyped, like being accused of
eating pets, and some shared experiences of being called racial slurs that highlight the ongoing dehumanization they face. A Haitian student shared that classmates in high school mocked them with monkey sounds or barking — degrading stereotypes rooted in anti-Blackness.

Trump’s re-election has only made these fears worse. Many respondents said they’re especially worried about undocumented immigrants who work grueling jobs to survive and support their families, but now face an increased threat of deportation. Trump himself has hinted already at mass deportations, resurfacing anxiety for those who already feel invisible in this system. One response really stuck out to me: “As an immigrant, I’m afraid for the undocumented people in this country that work jobs no one else wants to do to support their family and have no chance to stay here. Who’s gonna do their job?”

Trump’s rhetoric and policies are a reminder that to him and his supporters, immigrants are nothing more than a target. Many respondents called the election results “terrifying” and “disheartening.” For Haitian respondents, his history of derogatory comments about their country is another slap in the face, a continuation of a system designed to belittle and exclude them.

Now more than ever, we need to support those who are living in fear. For many immigrants, this moment is a source of deep pain and uncertainty. These are people who came here to create a better life, not to be crushed by a system that treats them as disposable and invisible. It’s on us to listen to their voices, to show up, and to comfort those who are feeling the weight of this election. They deserve to know they’re not alone, and they deserve so much better.