I live in fear that Trump will deport my family.

My six-year-old grandson is now a political pawn.

Photo Credits: Barry Rubin / Shutterstock.com, GREGORIO / Adobe Stock

 By Felice from Home of the Brave

I have a six-year-old grandson. He’s my only grandchild, and I’ve helped raise him since the day he was born. I’m a caregiver to him, and in many ways he’s also a caregiver to me. It gives me great meaning and fulfillment to know that I’m helping him grow into a kind, caring, loving kid. I keep his picture on my desk, and it brings me joy every time I look at it.

His father also happens to be a Dreamer—someone who came to this country as a baby, by no fault of his own, and was given the opportunity to stay in the country. He speaks perfect English, has worked all his life, and contributes to his community. He is a taxpayer.

But now, thanks to the Trump administration’s cruel and senseless immigration policies, we live in fear that they will be deported. This is something that’s at the back of our family’s minds every single day. And it isn’t an arbitrary fear. It’s the reason my last name and location are being withheld from this post.

Trump has already moved to revoke birthright citizenship, and has attacked Dreamers for years. If the administration’s proposed changes are allowed to go through, my family could be in the crosshairs. Through no fault of their own.

Any parent or grandparent can relate to the sense of helplessness and concern that this inspires. Losing my family would break my heart, and change their lives forever. This six-year-old boy hasn’t done anything wrong. Neither did his father.

They are in this country because of the choices of others, and they’ve enriched this country every second that they’ve been in it. They are what we mean when we talk about America being a country of immigrants. They can’t afford to speak out. That’s why I’m speaking out on their behalf.

For me, these fears run deep. My family is Jewish, and we’re well acquainted with Martin Niemöller’s famous “First They Came” poem:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Speaking out is hard. Under the Trump administration, we’ve come to expect brutal, vindictive treatment. We now worry about being targeted, just for speaking out. That’s why so many people are staying silent, and hoping the crisis passes without touching their family.

That’s why I’m choosing to speak out now. Because to watch the evil being perpetuated in our name, and to keep silent out of fear, would only further enable that same evil. It’s not something I’m willing to do.

Because if everyone behaved that way, there would be no one left to speak for us in the end.

Felice is a participant in Home of the Brave, a new initiative highlighting the harms of Donald Trump’s second term.