Routine Immigration Check-Ins Now May Lead to Detention

Over the years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers would use prosecutorial discretion in order to focus their efforts on deporting convicted criminals. Many immigrants who were not considered to be deportation priorities had to check in with ICE each year, just so ICE could keep tabs on the immigrants. What was a very routine process for many immigrants now has become the beginning of deportation proceedings for these individuals. When Trump took office earlier this year, however, he immediately signed an executive order that greatly broadened the definition of deportable offenses. This move has affected all levels of immigration enforcement, including those immigrants who previously had checked in with ICE only once each year. For instance, an Arizona woman who had been checking in with ICE annually since 2008 was deported after checking in with ICE, although nothing in the woman’s situation had changed to merit immediate deportation. ICE reportedly has told other immigrants checking in at other locations that they should simply check in again next year. As a result of this widely-publicized arrest, immigrants are fearful of what previously was a simple check-in with ICE. They fear deportation upon check-in; therefore, immigrant advocates are urging immigrants to get their affairs in order prior to checking in with ICE this year, just in case they are deported. While immigration agency officials still claim that their priority is to deport convicted criminals, a spokeswoman for the New York agency recently stated that all immigrants who have violated immigration laws are ultimately subject to arrest, detention, and deportation. The deportation defense lawyers of Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., pride themselves on aggressively representing the interests of those immigrants who are facing potential deportation by American immigration authorities. Our goal is to gather evidence in your favor, build on a strong case on your behalf, and develop a strategy that is best designed to help you remain in the United States and move on with your life. The earlier we can get started with your case, the more likely you are to prevail in your deportation proceedings. Don’t hesitate to contact us today and learn what we can do to assist you.