Opinion: The America my parents believed in is disappearing

Michigan State Rep. Mai Xiong reflects on the fear Trump’s immigration policies are causing for Michigan families.

Last November, I wrote in the Detroit Free Press about my quiet fear, even as a sitting state representative and naturalized citizen, of what a second Donald Trump presidency could bring. That fear has only grown since. 

What was once framed as “immigration reform” to remove “the worst of the worst” from our communities is now targeting the most vulnerable: our neighbors, workers, children—even US citizens. 

My family came to America in 1987 through the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). My father risked his life alongside American troops during the Vietnam War. He believed in the promise of this country—a place where hard work could lead to a better life, where opportunity didn’t depend on wealth or connections. 

Now, that promise is breaking. 

On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order halting refugee admissions, asylum processing, and parole programs—moves clearly designed to limit humanitarian pathways and revive mass deportations. Even natural-born citizens are at risk. Trump is once again threatening birthright citizenship, and his administration has funneled $170 billion into immigration enforcement. 

These policies are tearing families apart. A father in Oregon was detained while dropping off his child at daycare. Yeonsoo Go, a 20-year-old Purdue University student and daughter of an Episcopal priest, was detained by ICE outside a New York courthouse. She was held for five days before release. Here in Macomb County, one of my own relatives was detained by Border Patrol while fishing. His case remains unresolved, and his family lives in daily fear. 

One afternoon, I saw the mother of my daughter’s classmate waiting for me. A green card holder, she was too afraid to go to the Secretary of State’s office to get a Real ID—worried ICE might be waiting. I told her she’d be fine. But deep down, I wasn’t sure I believed it myself. 

Since then, I’ve received dozens of calls—from nail salon workers, parents of children born here, longtime green card holders—all terrified that they could be next. I hear the fear in their voices and the cries of children in the background. These families are doing everything right. And yet they’re trying to stay invisible, simply to stay safe. 

This isn’t about isolated incidents. It’s a coordinated campaign that replaces policy with punishment, compassion with cruelty. 

And we keep hearing: 

“If you don’t like it here, leave.” 

“We don’t have the resources. Don’t come.”

But here’s the truth: 

Immigrants pay hundreds of billions in taxes—roughly $580 billion in 2022 alone. They work essential jobs Americans often won’t take. They’re nearly twice as likely to start businesses. In Michigan, immigrants drove over half of our population growth last decade. Without them, we face declining school enrollment, workforce shortages, and lost tax revenue. 

Want a simple example? Order takeout from one of Michigan’s 100+ Thai restaurants—it’s likely run by a Hmong American family. Families like mine. 

We are not a threat to America. We are America. We didn’t come here to take. We came to build. 

This country made a promise to my parents—and to millions of others. If we want to honor that promise, we must reject fear. We must fight for the America we believe in. 

I’ve lost both my parents. But their dream lives on in me. That’s what I fight for every day—as a legislator, a daughter, and a mother who still believes in the promise of this country.

Related: Michigan lawmakers call for release of Hmong immigrants detained by ICE