Migrants who crossed into the United States before President Donald Trump returned to the White House told the New York Post that they're thankful they arrived before the 47th president closed the border.
"Many of us got here before Trump came to office, like in my case," John Sanchez, 30, a dual citizen of Colombia and Venezuela, told the outlet at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Wednesday.
The newly-inaugurated Trump administration has ended the previous Biden administration's "catch-and-release" immigration policy, and illegal immigrants who are apprehended at the border can now only be released with approval from the Department of Homeland Security.
Under the Biden administration's policy, migrants were let go with a court date, but Trump's team has empowered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to return them to their home countries.
Sanchez, who entered the U.S. at Eagle Pass, Texas, told the Post he was released on Inauguration Day. He was headed for Charlotte, North Carolina, he said, where he has a friend.
If given the chance to address Trump directly, Sanchez said he wishes the new president would be more welcoming of those crossing the border illegally.
"He should be more understanding of the people who are doing good in the U.S. and not doing anything wrong over those who come here to do evil," Sanchez said. "You do have the right to slam the law on those who do wrongs, but for us doing things right, we should be given the opportunity."
Ellos, from Brazil, told the Post he thinks Trump is "making a lot of mistakes" by "taking away opportunities for people who want to come to the U.S."
"He's making it harder for people," Ellos said. "I'm not worried about my case, because I'm protected by the law, but I'm worried for others who are going through this."
At the ICE office in Chicago on Tuesday, Jorge, 28, from Ecuador, said he was afraid to go out because of the new enforcement action Trump has authorized. Still, he said he considered it his "responsibility" to show up for his appointment.
"If I miss one of these appointments, it's worse, so I went out with fear but faith in God that everything would be OK," he said.
Jorge, who entered the U.S. near Eagle Pass about a year ago, told the Post that he left Ecuador for "complicated reasons" and that his life could be at risk if he were to return.
He said he thinks it's "a shame" the border has been sealed and, if he were able to speak to Trump, he would tell the president that "many of the people who are here want to be OK."
"We want the opportunity to do things right," Jorge said. "We're here doing everything we're told. We're going through the process they're asking for. I've followed everything to the letter."
Nicole Weatherholtz ✉
Nicole Weatherholtz, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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