President Trump has pledged to increase immigration enforcement. What does this mean for the undocumented immigrant? This likely means that you will have contact with ICE (Immigration DHS Agents). When ICE makes contact, they will determine your custody status. What does this mean? To put it simply, they will determine whether they will keep you locked up or release you. They will need to determine whether you can be trusted to appear in Immigration Court (Executive Office for Immigration Review – EOIR). Dont take any comfort in assuming that they will make a rational and reasonable decision in making a custody determination. Most of their decisions lack a common sense approach. All too often, I have clients with criminal records released by DHS and clients with no criminal record and strong ties to the U.S. (U.S .Citizen children, long length employment, etc) held without bond. The moral of this blog?
- DONT ASSUME YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS. DONT ASSUME BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE U.S. FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THEY ILL NOT GET TO YOU.
- DO NOT LEAVE YOUR FREEDOM IN THE HANDS OF AN AGENCY THAT ALL TOO OFTEN MAKES THE WRONG DECISION.
Immigration laws are very complicated. DHS uses these laws to deport people. You can use them to obtain permanent residency. Be proactive, not defensive. Take the initiative and legalize your status. The first step is to contact an experienced Immigration lawyer attorney.