By: Gigi Kraemer

Fayetteville, Ark. (UATV) — President Trump addressed the nation late last week regarding the shooting of two National Guard officers in Washington, D.C.

In the same speech, he also said, “We must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here.”

Trump’s remarks reflect his administration’s enforcement of immigration policy nationwide, including in Fayetteville. 

Arrests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have significantly increased in Fayetteville, and across the country, since President Trump took office for his second term.

Immigration policy is heavily affected by turnover in the legislative and executive branches of government.

Susan Duell, a partner at Bogart, Small and Duell, said, “Changing dynamics really affects immigration law here in the United States.”

Duell also said entering the U.S. legally can be difficult. The U.S. only allows residents of 41 countries to enter visa-free.

Visas are heavily restricted by the government, with limited pathways for those who want to enter the country. 

Additionally, the process to obtain legal status in the United States can be lengthy.

A man seeking permanent residency, who asked to be identified only as “Tim” while he awaits a green card hearing, said he’s been waiting for this hearing for the past 10 years.

“We had court in 2018, the judge pushed it away, and then in 2022 and he pushed it away again and next court is next year.”

Along with these challenges, people awaiting legal status who are already living in the country also face barriers to accessing education.

Tim said he hopes to study electrical engineering at the University of Arkansas.

However, because Tim doesn’t have permanent legal status, he is unable to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

In the time between hearings, Tim has gotten a work permit and is currently working to save money for school, but as his next court date approaches, he said he has started to worry.

“I came here when I was 13 and now I’m 22 and that’s like almost ten years of my life that could just be taken away and then have to restart again.”