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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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As President Donald Trump kick-starts his term with mass deportations and orders for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase arrests, immigrants and their families are pushing back in a new social media trend.
The White House has swiftly acted on its pledge to deport 11 million people labeled "aliens." In a January 26 press release, the Department of Homeland Security reinforced its determination to deport undocumented immigrants.
"Immediately after being sworn in, President Trump took executive action to stop the invasion at the southern border and to empower law enforcement agents to deport criminal aliens," the statement read.
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Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.
In response to an increasing anti-immigrant sentiment, tens of thousands of TikTokers have showcased poignant and heartwarming footage of their so-called "dangerous alien" relatives.
Lourdes Duque (@.ignorantslut), 21, a Chapman University student from California, shared a clip of her grandfather, Simon Navarro, 80, happily enjoying a cake on TikTok. The video has garnered 2.6 million likes and 10.4 million views.
Speaking about her grandpa's reaction to current events, Duque told Newsweek: "He cried and cried for those who are being deported because he was them at one point. Children are being left alone here in the United States without their parents due to their lack of documentation.
"Young adults near my age are being deported because their parents never told them they didn't have documentation—they are now being thrown into a country that they don't remember.
"And that is why I created that video because my abuelo has been through this before. He holds so much pain from his past, from what he's seen happen to those around him, to his friends, and he can't help but wonder why it's happening again. How far did we regress as a society for the hatred to return tenfold?"
Navarro, originally from the small Mexican state of Nayarit, worked on his grandfather's land as a boy. He crossed the border into the U.S. to make a better life for his family. He worked hard in agriculture, sending money back home until his wife could join him with their firstborn daughter.
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"In those early years, my abuelo recounted that there was so much hatred in the country for our people," Duque said. "He had broken down into tears after recalling all of those memories, and something in my heart shattered. My abuelo is not a man of many words, but when he does use them, they hit you like a truck."
Duque pointed out the stark contrast between the treatment of immigrants and the pardoning of January 6 rioters, as well as the election of a president found liable for sexual assault.
"And yet, the real enemy is still minorities and immigrants? An entire group of people? I'm here; my abuelo is here; my parents are here to show that good and evil is not defined by a group of people but as individuals themselves," Duque said.
She clarified in the comments of the video that her family has U.S. citizenship and that she used the term "illegal" to call out those who wrongly believe all immigrants are undocumented.
The video sparked an outpouring of emotion from viewers worldwide.
"I don't understand why people care so much about people just living their lives. The dehumanization is absolutely appalling. I am so sorry this is happening," one person commented.
"Look at how bright his eyes are. Imagine the things he's experienced, and he still has a light that shines through his soul," another TikTok user, Mel, wrote.
Elsewhere, Lauren Eager (@laureneagerw) from Austin, Texas, made an emotional statement about how Mexican immigrants have profoundly shaped her life. Her video garnered 7.4 million views and 1.9 million likes on TikTok.
She recounted numerous instances of Mexican people helping her and shaping her life—builders repairing their home's foundation, a doctor treating her broken arm, neighbors providing meals when her family couldn't afford food and teaching her Spanish so she could study in El Salvador.
Now 27, she reflected on her childhood in Texas, where the culture is deeply intertwined with Mexico. Both her parents went to prison, leaving her to rely on the kindness of her local community.
"My mom and dad both went to prison when I was very young. So, my experience was with U.S. felons let out from the system—I'd rather we conquer those issues. That is what caused my childhood to be bad. Mexican immigrants caused my life to be good by feeding me, caring for me, by teaching me to cook."
When she temporarily turned off comments on her video, she received more than 1,500 messages to her inbox.
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"Some of them were from Mexican families, thanking me for showing love and expressing deep concern over the rhetoric. Others were from people saying, 'This is very, very dangerous,'" she said.
Mexican TikTokers shared their fears and gratitude with her. A nurse spoke about the painful irony of saving lives at work while feeling unwanted in her own country. Another message read: "Fine that you like Mexicans, but stop spreading that criminals should be here."
She responded: "How hateful of course I like Mexicans and all immigrants everyone is an immigrant to a country when they first come."
Eager pointed out that all immigrants must undergo a process to obtain permanent legal status in the U.S., regardless of where they come from.
TikToker Natalie (@itsnatalieh1) shared a heartwarming video of her father wearing a sombrero and blowing out the sparkler on a birthday cake,
"'Dangerous Alien' my dad who works sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, to provide for us and never complains. A father raising a future neurosurgeon. The most hardworking, loving dad who has done nothing but take care of those around him and put everyone's needs and wants above his," she wrote in the text overlaid on the touching moment.
The post garnered 89,900 likes and 300,400 views on TikTok.
"I feel inclined to tell you and your father that I want him here," commented a TikTok user named Jennifer Jeffries.
"I'm so sorry. I want him here. He's loved. Please make sure he knows we aren't all void of morals," wrote another user, Laura.
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