HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Now that Donald Trump has been elected, many immigrants are waiting to see what his second term will mean for them.

President-elect Trump has promised mass expulsions, talking widely about workplace searches and invoking the National Guard.

For some immigrants, whether they are here legally or illegally, it is a confusing time.

Marisol Elias is a mother of five and all of her children were born in Houston. Her two oldest have just started college.

But Marisol was born in Mexico, and her parents brought her here illegally when she was ten.

“You get really anxious and start thinking about all this. What happens if I have to go? I have to take my kids. I’ll have to leave them here,” she said. “So it’s getting really bad.”

Just like more than 500,000 other people, Marisol is legally in the United States under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

President Trump’s administration tried to end DACA protections during its first term, but the Supreme Court stopped it.

During his second term, he promised expulsions.

Guillermo Covo arrived in Houston nine months ago.

“His plan was to legally enter the United States, which he did, and then work here and build and grow, but he also had a plan to be able to renew,” Covo said via ‘a translator.

Guillermo came here from Venezuela under what’s called humanitarian parole, a Biden administration program that grants two-year work visas to people from countries considered dangerous.

Recipients must pass a background check and have financial sponsors here in the United States.

The program has not been renewed and President-elect Trump has promised to end it by deporting those who are part of it.

“He feels like he’s in limbo because he feels like what’s going to happen when these two years are over: ‘What’s going to happen to me?’ He’s not really sure,” Covo’s translator said.

Immigration lawyer Raed Gonzalez reminds all his clients that deportations would require a legal process.

“I tell people to calm down. It’s half-baked. We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” Gonzalez said. “If you are a criminal you should be concerned at this point, but everyone needs to prepare.”

He says those who are here illegally or on specialized VISAs should start gathering documents now.

“Proof that you pay taxes is a very good thing. A judge really appreciates that you live here, but you also pay for your stay here in the United States,” he said. “And all your family documents, all the birth certificates, your passports.”

“I just hope he takes into consideration the fact that we gave our lives for this country. I paid my taxes. I also got my degree here,” Elias said. “I know he thinks there are a lot of bad people, but there are also a lot of good people. We’re here to work and make this country a better country as well.”

“He’s never been in front of a judge, and he’s never been detained or anything with someone who’s actually a criminal, so that’s something he wouldn’t want to face.” , said the Covo translator.

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