RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) — Less than a week after his victory, Donald Trump has begun appointing members of his new administration, with former ICE director Tom Homan calling for the position of “border czar.”

Illegal immigration at the southern border was a major focus for Trump during his campaign, with him vowing to “launch the largest deportation program in American history” on his first day back in office during a campaign stop in Rocky Mount.

“I’m actually a little more afraid of a Trump presidency this time,” Isaac Villegas said.

Villegas, a child of immigrants, was previously pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship, which worked with other faith leaders to provide shelter on church property for individuals who were in the country illegally during Trump’s first term.

“When Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, he never says, ‘Oh wait, see if they have papers or not,’” Villegas said.

While he is not surprised that the issue has become a central plank of Trump’s campaign, he has heard expressions of concern arising from the proposed policy.

“What I feel is a kind of withdrawal and shock among undocumented friends and those with papers who could be racially profiled. Just a sense of, ‘Oh, wow, we don’t want to stand out. What is this?’ what the world will mean to us?’ And yes, definitely fear. What do we have to do to keep our lives together,” Villegas said.

On Monday he will host a post-election conversation with local churchgoers, where the subject will almost certainly come up.

Elsewhere, attorney Gisselle Liborio echoed Villegas’ comments.

“I think there is an overwhelming fear among many people, but others hope it is just political,” said Liborio, who has close people who could be affected by deportations.

Liborio cited the logistical challenges associated with obtaining citizenship through the legal process.

“It’s very expensive. It’s complicated. You really need to be well informed to know what steps to take. “I think with (Trump in power) there’s no chance that it will be better or faster, and (I’m) just hoping that this doesn’t slow down the process or make it any more complicated than they already are,” he said. Liborio.

Pew Research Center estimates that 325,000 people in North Carolina lack legal status, representing 37% of the state’s immigrant population. Analysts have questioned the feasibility and costs associated with forcibly removing millions of people.

While Trump has highlighted several high-profile cases involving immigrants in the county illegally charged with violent crimes, investigations have largely cast doubt on the links between a person’s immigration status and crime.

Supporters of the deportation policy have also pointed to the economic impact of immigrants living in the country illegally, including testimony from conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation at a U.S. Senate Budget Committee last year. Senior Research Fellow Robert Rector estimated the net budget cost at “between $84 and $94 billion per year,” representing the gap between government benefits and services provided and taxes paid. However, opponents have emphasized their contributions to the economy, with the advocacy group American Immigration Council stating that “mass deportations would reduce U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by 4.2 to 6.8 percent,” adding that “the significant would cause labor shocks in several countries.” important industries.”