Local immigrants discuss the fear and uncertainty of changing policy

89.1 WBOI | By Ella Abbott

Published January 31, 2025 at 12:00 AM EST

Two young people, one in a red sweatshirt and the other in a black sweatshirt, unfurl a version of the Mexican flag during an anti-deportation protest at the Allen County Courthouse. — Protests against the second Trump administration appeared Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Allen County as concerned residents gathered to support the local immigrant community afraid of increased ICE activity.

A young woman waves a Mexican flag as she passes a pro-immigration protest on the Allen County Courthouse Green Wednesday evening, Jan. 29, 2025.

President Donald Trump ordered increased deportation activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around the country within hours of taking office.

Immigrants make up 6.8% of the population in Allen County are now coping with the fear of deportation and family separation, whether here with documentation or not.

WBOI’s Ella Abbott spoke with several immigrants in Fort Wayne who are feeling those effects.

Editor's note: Irene Paxia is a board member at WBOI.

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Ella Abbott

Ella Abbott is a multimedia reporter for 89.1 WBOI. She is a strong believer in the ways audio storytelling can engage an audience and create a sensory experience.

See stories by Ella Abbott