Irish immigrants in the United States are increasingly ‘gripped by fear’ about what might happen to them if Donald Trump wins the presidency in November.
A top Irish American law firm is reporting a surge in calls from Irish immigrants concerned about their immigration status.
It comes as the presidential election ramps up and Republicans put the issue of immigration at the heart of their campaign.
Mr Trump has promised mass deportations and an end to birthright citizenship - although this is unlikely as the US constitution is extremely difficult to amend.
Donald Trump in a New York courtroom during his civil fraud trial, 17-10-23. Image: UPI / AlamyDemocratic candidate, Kamala Harris, has criticised Mr Trump's hard line on immigration but is also promising border security.
Attorney Fiona McEntee said it all adds up to immigrants are living in fear of what might happen to them - espeically if Mr Trump wins.
“It’s really hard to put this into words,” she said.
“It has such a chilling impact - the anti-immigration rhetoric, sentiment and policies.
“People are afraid that somehow their citizenship could be revoked and it’s based on fear gripping people mid-visa process or mid-green card process.
“[They are] concerned about what might happen if the election ends up with a second Trump presidency.”
Vice President Harris is the current favourite and leads Mr Trump in most nationwide polls.
Main image: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally. Picture by: AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson.
