Following are reactions to the 2024 election results from leaders of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance.
OHIA interviewed 255 people who were deported, most during the Trump administration. Read about their lives and experiences in “Broken Hope: Deportation and the Road Home” (download the e-book for free or purchase the paperback); listen to executive summaries in English, French, and Fulani; and find videos and other multimedia testimonies in our sensory summary.
Demba Ndiath, Advocacy Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance: “My message goes out to all immigrants in Ohio and beyond who are feeling scared and uncertain today. We see you and we stand with you. My own family experienced the pain of deportation during the first Trump administration, when my uncle was torn from us. I know what it’s like to watch our elders, teachers, and community leaders being taken away from our mosques and our families. The fear you feel is real, and I understand it. But let me remind you that during the first Trump administration, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance stood strong with you, fighting every step of the way. Through that experience, we grew stronger and more determined.
“We believe in your inherent dignity and the love you have for your families and this country. We know that under the current threat of the so-called ‘Alien Enemies Act,’ millions of immigrants are at risk of deportation. But you are not alone. The future may rest in Allah’s hands, but we have the power to take action. Together, we will continue to fight for your rights, support you, and remind everyone that your lives have value. We are proud to have you here with us, and we will stand with you every step of the way.”
Lynn Tramonte, Director of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance: “The politicians who were victorious last night have a code word for racial and economic anxiety, wrapped together. They call it ‘immigration.’ They had a strategy to use it as a weapon and it worked for them. The other party tried to be the ‘lesser of two evils’ on immigration, instead of understanding migration for what it is — a human need to save your life and take care of your family. An act of courage and love.
“The losing party doesn’t just have a ‘messaging’ problem. The Biden administration’s overall immigration policy was to act ‘tough’ and try to keep people out, instead of recognizing immigrants’ inherent humanity and helping communities welcome new residents. They had plenty of examples of community care in action to follow, and could have brought resources to the table for a short-term bridge, as well as a long-term commitment to ending housing insecurity for everyone. Instead they sent money to fund border militarization, border externalization, and genocide in other countries. The border bill strategy they thought was so clever only reinforced the other side’s racially coded frame.
“Migration is as old as time, as basic as breathing. Immigrants bring new energy, ideas, and capacity to our communities once they settle in. This is as true today as it was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. All parties with resources and power need to understand the reason why some were able to weaponize a beautiful act of human strength, and what they need to do differently to achieve a dignified and safe future for all.”