Ben, a Ghanaian who migrated to the U.S. through Europe and Mexico, is currently residing in Edison, New Jersey, near Connecticut—a state known for its Democratic (blue state) policies. Speaking in an interview, he opened up about the evolving challenges immigrants face, particularly regarding U.S. immigration enforcement.
According to Ben, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) used to be very active in the area, even arresting a retired military veteran in the early days. However, ICE has now shifted its focus more toward migrants from Mexico. While Black immigrants are somewhat less targeted, those who have upcoming court dates risk being detained as soon as they arrive at their hearings.
“I don’t have any court dates, but others I know have hearings scheduled as far out as 2029 or even 2030,” Ben shared. “Now, ICE can show up at any time. One woman from our church and her four children were written to by a judge. In such cases, only God can save you—they may dismiss your case, but it’s never guaranteed.”
Ben highlighted that while ICE rarely patrols red states, they are very active in Democratic states like Massachusetts and California, where arrests are increasing. He explained that the U.S. government financially incentivizes immigration officers based on the number of arrests they make—reportedly targeting up to 3,000 people daily.
“Recently, they raided farms and even a roofing contractor lost all his workers. They also pick people from stores like Home Depot,” Ben recounted. “It’s all about the numbers. That’s how they get paid.”
Ben noted that the Biden administration had granted temporary stays to immigrants from countries like Venezuela and Cuba, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. However, Trump-era immigration restrictions are still causing fear among many immigrants, making them hesitant to go out or work freely.
To avoid trouble, Ben said he carefully plans his movement, catching the bus at safe hours and staying out of trouble.
“If I had money, I wouldn’t even go to work,” he joked. “Once Biden finishes his term in three years, things might calm down. But if you get deported, returning is almost impossible.”
He also mentioned a friend earning $400 a week who is picked up and dropped off at work by the company.
“He’s doing well,” Ben said. “Opportunities are still here. I did a 2-3 day training and landed a job.”
Ben believes that success in the U.S. depends on determination and hard work.
“America is still the land of opportunity. If you’re not lazy, you can make it. One Mexican guy made good money within a year. I paid off my debts within seven months after arriving,” he said. “If you hustled in Ghana—carrying cement and working hard—you can succeed in America.
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