The calls and requests to Global Refuge immediately followed the news of Donald Trump’s election win.

People were worried about being able to continue working legally and asking for guidance on renewing employment authorization. Some were asking how to adjust their temporary legal status to a more permanent one. Others wanted to know about reuniting with family members if they are separated.

“Many are expressing heightened anxiety about their future and the safety of their families, driven by campaign rhetoric and promises around immigration policy,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, which serviced 500 families locally last year through the Baltimore Welcome Center and also helps 50,000 people nationally each year. The nonprofit organization was formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS).

In the month following Trump’s win, organizations and advocates representing immigrant populations are reporting a significant uptick in inquires and calls.

Throughout his campaign, Trump made cracking down on immigration a major issue. Last month, he confirmed that he would declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Sunday, in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” Trump stood by his promise to end birthright citizenship, which occurs when people born in the U.S. automatically become citizens.

Trump also said he wanted to “work something out” with Democrats in reference to Dreamers — children who immigrated to the United States with their families at a very young age and grew up in this country.

The ACLU says Trump will “decimate American communities by targeting immigrants who are already contributing members of society and blocking new immigrants from coming lawfully to the United States.”

In response to the concern from immigrants, Vignarajah’s organization has prioritized case management and mental health resources to provide support for those dealing with stress over the uncertainty. Last year, they launched an in-house legal services team and intend to continue “building capacity.” The group is also advocating for humane immigration policies on the local, state, and federal level that take into account the voices of immigrant famlies.

Maryland Latinos Unidos, a statewide network of organizations and businesses who support Latino and immigrant communities, has been fielding calls since the election.

“We went from zero to a series of meetings with nonprofits almost overnight,” said Gabriela Lemus, executive director of the organization, which held a virtual meeting Thursday morning as part of its People’s Policy Series for its members to discuss the potential impact of a Trump administration. Twenty people attended and voiced concerns about privacy and money for legal and mental health services.

Lemus believes funds will have to be prioritized for defending the immigrant community.

“Legal representation is expensive. There will be resistance. But also, we need money for the state and local communities to fight back,” she said. “Serious legal advice is expensive. At our organization, our plan will be to advocate for that and to bring organizations together so we can leverage our resources and make it clear that we are building a better society than the one being offered to us.”

Catholic Charities’ Esperanza Center, which provided immigration legal services to 1,161 clients in fiscal year 2024, has also noticed an increase in inbound calls to their immigration legal service practice.

“Given the uncertainty about what’s to come, many of these callers are understandably seeking clarity about their legal status and that of their families,” said Matthew Dolamore, the program director of Esperanza Center.

The center’s clients have also expressed concerns about personal safety.

“We’re closely monitoring, evaluating, and responding to changing circumstances, as well as proactively and strategically planning for the future, so that we can deliver the best possible service and support to the immigrant community — always with the goal of helping every person fulfill his or her God-given potential,” Dolamore said.

Maureen A. Sweeney, a law school professor and faculty director of the Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice at University of Maryland Carey School of Law, said: “Part of the strategy of the Trump team has always been to create fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities, and it appears that will be in the playbook again this time around.”

Vignarajah said her resettlement agency has also experienced a 110% jump in web traffic to their volunteer opportunities page. She believes this highlights that “Americans are eager to stand with their immigrant neighbors.”

Walkiria Pool, president and founder of Centro de Apoyo Familiar, said she has noticed a “deep silence” from clients who are mainly immigrants.

“They are not talking about it and my experience tells me that they are processing the election and that eventually we will need to create a safe space to bring the topic and have an open conversation with the immigrant community,” Pool said. “Also, we know that other advocacy groups are concerned as well.”

In the meantime, Pool said her organization, a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency that serves 25,000 low-income families and immigrant families each year, is working on a postelection survey for the faith-based groups they work with, given those organizations are directly interacting with many immigrants every day.

The Anne Arundel NAACP has observed an increase in concerns about immigration largely generated by the election, said Steven Waddy, president of the branch.

October’s general body meeting was spent discussing health care for immigrants — regardless of their legal status, Waddy said.

“This issue also extended into how we can support bills in the state legislature to provide the funding necessary for health care, housing, and education for undocumented immigrants,” he said.

The branch is now gearing up to advocate for a legislative agenda that includes a focus on equity and justice for communities that are confronting systemic oppression, including immigrants.

Last month, the branch joined Anne Arundel County’s Office of Equity and Human Rights to support the county’s certification as a welcoming community, Waddy said, adding the NAACP remains “ardently opposed” to the separation of families at any time, under any administration.