Immigrants on LI concerned, confused by Trump's plans

Members of Long Island's immigrant community are expressing concern and confusion as President-elect Donald Trump appears to be backing off some of his key campaign promises, including his vow to deport

News 12 Staff

Nov 15, 2016, 3:10 AM

Updated 2,888 days ago

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Members of Long Island's immigrant community are expressing concern and confusion as President-elect Donald Trump appears to be backing off some of his key campaign promises, including his vow to deport 11 million people living in the U.S. illegally.
In an interview with "60 Minutes" that aired Sunday on CBS, Trump said he plans to immediately deport 2 to 3 million immigrants who he says have committed crimes in the country. But the fate of the millions of others, including many on Long Island, remains unclear. Trump said the border must first be secured before further plans are developed.
Dulce Medina, 18, of Central Islip, has been in the country for seven years. She crossed the border, fleeing Guatemala's gangs and violence. But like many immigrants, she doesn't know what to expect.
"I don't feel secure anymore, even though I have my residency card. It doesn't ensure me anything," she says.
Medina says she is happy in the U.S. but she worries that Trump's plans are tearing apart her family and her dreams of becoming a pediatrician.
Conservative leaders on Long Island say they support Trump's plan to deport undocumented immigrants and to secure the border by building a wall.
"To be here and be productive here there's a legal path to do that, so I think Donald Trump has the right idea," says Steve Simon, of the Conservative Society for Action.
In the interview, Trump also said he would support a fence in some areas along the southern border instead of the wall that he campaigned on heavily.
Trump also said he won't accept the annual $400,000 presidential salary, but instead will take $1 a year.