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Local Latin community shares concerns about future

By Zach Petroff 5 min read
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Erika Riedmann (right) directs a program for students to learn English as a second language at the East End United Community Center. Ana Gonzalez (left) is a student in Riedmann’s class and also volunteers at the center.
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Erika Riedmann is a naturalized American citizen who carries around her passport in case she is stopped by ICE.
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Ana Gonzalez (left) and Erika Riedmann (right) discuss their concerns over immigration-related orders signed by President Donald Trump.

Erika Riedmann is an American citizen, but the Uniontown woman now carries around identification papers out of fear that she may be detained.

“I don’t feel unsafe in my community, but I am scared of what can happen with everything that’s going on,” Riedmann said. “I feel like I have to carry my passport because … it seems like anything could happen.”

As of Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump had spent his first two weeks in office signing a record 36 executive orders. Several dealt with immigration, including one that gave U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the authority to make arrests in churches and schools.

Riedmann is the director of a program that teaches English as a second language at East End United Community center in Uniontown. She is also a social worker who specializes in helping migrant families connect with available resources in their community

“I see a lot of people that come to work for American companies, and the companies will bring them here, dump them in the American pot and not give them any sort of guidance,” she said. “Without any sort of guidance to navigate the culture.”

Riedmann teaches two semesters a year, with about 20 students in each.

On Wednesday, after a man was detained by ICE agents in front of the Fayette County Courthouse, only four students attended.

“I mean, when my students told me about not coming to class I told them I was praying for them, I told them to be cautious. What else can I do?” Riedmann asked as tears rolled down her cheeks.

There are an estimated 733,000 school-age children living in the U.S. without legal status, which includes about 12,000 in Pennsylvania, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Ana Gonzalez of Hopwood, one of Riedmann’s students, came to the U.S. last year with her husband on a G-1 work visa. That type of visa allows the employed person to bring a family member as long as they do not work.

Gonzalez, who spent time living in Mexico City and Monterrey, said she loves the quiet of Uniontown and has been able to find a supportive community since she’s been here. While she said she feels protected under the G-1 visa status, she also feels worried for her friends.

“My fears are not the same as other people that are not here without permission,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said she is worried that the inflammatory rhetoric surrounding immigrants could have dire consequences.

“I understand that illegal immigrants are breaking the law, but they are not criminals, not all of them are,” Gonzalez said.

Last year U.S Customs and Border Protection made 17,048 arrests of “criminal non-citizens.” Of those arrested, 2,894 were for driving under the influence, 1,056 were for drug possession and trafficking, 232 were for illegal weapon possession or trafficking, 221 were for sexual offenses 1,084 were for assault, battery and domestic violence, and 697 were for burglary and theft-related charges.

Twenty-nine arrests were made for homicide and manslaughter, while a vast majority of arrests, 10,934, were made for illegal entry and re-entry.

“It’s (not true) when they said only criminals were coming over the border,” Riedmann said. “Yes they’re criminals because they cross the border illegally, but these were not rapists and drug dealers.”

Both women said they felt as if immigrants often are unfairly blamed for the country’s economic woes, while in reality, they are just trying to provide a better life for their families.

“These are people that came here to work and are looking for a better life,” Gonzalez said.

In 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that foreign-born workers make up about 19% of the workforce, which equates to about 169 million jobs.

“There’s this talk that (immigrants) are taking (American) work spots, and that’s just not true. They are doing the job that United States citizens don’t want to (do),” Gonzalez said. “They are taking a space that is vacant, at the lowest wage.”

Riedmann agreed.

“Who wants to be picking up corn and carrots and peppers in the field?” she asked.

Both Riedmann and Gonzalez have brushed off concerns about their own status or safety, but instead said they are fearful for the children.

“I’m used to the shenanigans, but my biggest concern is about children, both physically and mentally,” Riedmann said.

Riedmann said those who work at EEUCC have been having discussions about what to do if ICE agents were to show up at the center, which offers day care services. She also said she’s been trying to give solid advice to families that seek out her advice.

“My goal as a community member is not to stop what is happening, because of course, I cannot. But I want people to be safe, so I tell them to carry your documents, carry your passport, carry your I.D.,” she said. “Carry your papers.”

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