Arrests of undocumented immigrants in Durham County on Feb. 13, 2025, put the local community on edge. The arrests came just weeks after President Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, when he signed several executive orders, many of which impacted immigrant communities nationwide.

One executive order, “Protecting The American People Against Invasion,” asserts the need to restore strict enforcement of U.S. immigration law. It expands deportation eligibility guidelines and impacts refugee assistance programs. Later, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers gained access to “sensitive areas” such as schools and churches. 

With these drastic changes in immigration policy nationwide, addressing local immigrant communities has a newfound importance. 

Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead says that trust between government officials and immigrants is essential.

With the growing threat of deportation, undocumented immigrants are likely to avoid seeking help through government services such as law enforcement, healthcare, and education. This chilling effect poses a serious concern. 

“It just erodes the fabric of building trust and police community relationships,” Birkhead says.

“They’re going to be very reluctant to talk to law enforcement, even if they’re victimized,” Birkhead explains. “And that’s a problem, because everyone who is on US soil is afforded the protection of every resident.”

County Commissioner Stephen Valentine wrote in an email that while immigrants may avoid accessing government services, he believes “we all can take steps as a community to support our neighbors by ensuring everyone has the most accurate and available information.”

Fifteen percent of Durham County’s population is foreign-born, and the Migration Policy Institute estimates nearly 20,000 are unauthorized immigrants as of 2019. 

Durham City Councilwoman Javiera Caballero emphasizes the city’s commitment to protecting all residents. 

“Historically, Durham has been very welcoming of refugees and immigrants,” Caballero says. “Our job is to serve the folks who live in our community, all different kinds.”

Moving forward, supporting immigrant communities in Durham will require intentionality. 

“I have to be intentional about continuing to build up those relationships,” Birkhead says. “Having those conversations, to encourage and continue to encourage cooperation, and continue to build a level of trust that I think is important for us to keep our community safe.”

Birkhead adds that he’s been on the radio, attends church meetings, and meets with community leaders. 

“I remain accessible, as do members of my senior staff and deputies, so we continue to attend programming in the community, and we also host community events, and we invite all residents to come and interact with us,” Birkhead says.

The increasing push for immigration legislation is also found at the state level. Late last year, North Carolina’s General Assembly passed House Bill 10, which requires all N.C. county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE under the bill’s Justice and Public Safety provisions. 

 Birkhead calls the law redundant. 

“It requires us to do something that we’re already required to do.” Birkhead says, citing what he described as the “unnecessary” nature of the bill. 

Other bills further undermine efforts to build an inclusive community for N.C. residents, regardless of citizenship status. H.B. 171 proposes ending DEI programs at the state and local levels. S.B. 153 would “permit designated State law enforcement officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions,” among other changes, claiming to protect N.C.’s borders. 

Caballero encourages Durhamites to advocate for change from their representatives. “I need residents to start putting pressure at the levers of power where they’re making decisions contrary to what we in local government know is best governing practices.”

She also reminds residents to know their rights and emphasizes the importance of funding existing programs. 

“We also run an Immigrant Legal Defense Fund, ”Caballero says. “We need to keep making sure that we fund those things.” 

Church World Services Durham offers an NC-Immigrant Solidarity Fund to assist immigrant families, regardless of status.

Commissioner Valentine recommends that immigrants seek services “through local organizations like Church World Services and World Relief.” He adds that “the City/County Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs has historically provided services to immigrants who have been welcomed to Durham.”

The future of immigration in the U.S. is uncertain, but Birkhead says, “We’re here for you.”

 

Edited by Ella Adamek, Sidney Curtis and Hannah Adams