NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) has launched a campaign against the imminent threats posed by a second Donald Trump presidency in the United States and his proposed Project 2025 agenda.

NYIC, an umbrella policy and advocacy organisation that represents more than 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups throughout New York, on Thursday night led a rally in Foley Square in lower Manhattan with member organisations, allies, and Caribbean and other immigrant New Yorkers in “standing up for immigrants”.

NYIC president and chief executive officer, Murad Awawdeh told Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Project 2025 “seeks to create a nationwide deportation system that will have devastating consequences for many vulnerable communities.

“Donald Trump has explicitly threatened to deploy local law enforcement to deport all undocumented immigrants in the US — an estimated 11 million people — including around 4,500,000 people residing in New York,” Awawdeh said.

“These policies undermine the rights and dignity of immigrants but also aim to dismantle the principles of inclusion and justice that define our country. Mass deportations would cost New York City alone billions of dollars in economic activity, reducing the workforce by hundreds of thousands of people, and destroying countless small businesses,” he warned.

On the campaign trail, Trump and his running mate JD Vance had constantly disparaged immigrants, particularly Haitians residing in Springfield, Ohio.

Trump had frequently falsely claimed, even during his only presidential debate with US Vice-President Kamala Harris, the daughter of retired Jamaican economist Dr Donald Harris, that Haitians were eating the dogs, cats and other pets of their neighbours in Springfield. The mayor of Springfield and the governor of Ohio had repeatedly stated that there was no evidence to support Trump’s claim.

The US president-elect also said that deporting immigrants will be his top priority on day one when he assumes the presidency, that is Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025.

“Trump’s victory won’t stop our movement from standing up to his racist and fascist agenda,” Awawdeh told the rally, adding, “New York would not be the same without the 4.5 million immigrants who have helped shape our culture and fuelled our economy for generations.

“Donald Trump has demonised our communities and promised to tear our families apart, starting on day one, but we will not be intimidated. Trump has underestimated our strength before, and we will show him once again that we are united and resilient.

“The work ahead will be challenging, but united we can ensure New York remains a beacon of hope for our immigrant neighbours and future generations. Together, we will keep fighting for a future where every New Yorker can thrive.”

The staff attorney with Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), Erik Crew said it’s sad to think that the people of the United States elected a candidate who demonised immigrants and black people in migration, and who lied about Haitians in Springfield in order to inflame hatred and fear, and incite intimidation and violence.