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'From riches to rags' and 'insults and crumbs' is what some undocumented persons said they are faced with since the Trump administration took office in January.

In addition to having their under the table wages cut by close to 50 per cent, some say they are being treated 'differently' since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began making raids. Kim*, a mother of four, got a US visa approximately four years ago, and vowed never to return to Jamaica. Within days, with a friend's help, she landed a job in Florida as a caregiver. Kim said she was on top of the world. She stated that she felt like part of the patient's family, but recently her employer has been giving her the cold shoulder.

"A di only job mi have since mi come a States and mi nah go lie it help mi out big time, because mi never have to pay rent. But all of a sudden it is like a favour dem a do mi. First ting happen is that mi pay cut. Best believe when mi tell yuh say mi deh pon a Ramen noodle diet and a straight Dollar Store mi shop. It rough right ya now," she said. Her pay has dropped from US$750 (approximately $118,000) to US$450 (approximately J$70,000 a week. She normally had her meals at the dinner table, but now has to choose one meal.

"She (her employer) start talk to mi like some likkle gal and she never use to do it...a just bare stress. It's like dem a try drive fear into mi and a ask how mi ago manage if mi get catch a work illegally," Kim said. In the first 50 days of the administration, ICE has made 32,809 enforcement arrests.

'BIG TRUMP SUPPORTERS'

"Right now mi have to brace mi self fi go look a little place because the way the people dem a move, mi can expect mi to come out same time. Mi no like how dem carry on at all because dem a big Trump supporter, so all of a sudden dem wah make America great again and get rid a we," Kim said, adding that she is now in debt.

"When mi did a get the big money (US$750) mi used to throw a bills fifty (US$150) partner a week, send home $200 fi mi kids dem lunch money and ting, do a little savings, and still have back a next bills or so can carry mi tru. Now, mi a hide from call a Jamaica because a close to a month mi nuh send out nothing," she said. "The partner did back up so mi have to a clear up that because mi get di draw already. Mi buy little snack and ting put in mi room and simple as yuh see it, Dollar Store no cheap either. Mi gonna just have to shut mi eye and send a two bills dis week fimi youth dem," she said.

Another woman said her salary was cut by US$100, and while no extra tasks have been added, her employers constantly remind her of how lucky she is. Then on Tuesday, April Fool's Day, her employer's son played a cruel joke on her.

"Mi just see him run come to the basement where mi room deh and tell mi to hide because ICE inna di house. Mi dive under di bed same time and minutes later dem come down a laugh and a say a joke. Mi tremble the entire time. Nothing is funny about it. Later in the day dem ago say to mi say is hope mi grateful because is a risk dem a take to keep mi but mi know no one else is working for chump change," the woman said.

Despite the challenges, both women said they would rather ride out their storm than return to Jamaica.

"Mi can't come back a yard because it no make any sense because mi can't work for $25,000 a week and dem money deh," Kim said.

*name changed to protect identity