Immigration Raids to Begin on Sunday - ICE Targeting Major Cities
Recently, the President has publicly rallied to deport “millions of illegal aliens” from the United States in what can only be described as a purge en masse. Administration officials have also confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be conducting raids on targeted cities in order to remove undocumented immigrants who have been issued a final deportation order yet, remain in the United States. After a series of delays, raids are set to begin this Sunday July 14, 2019. News media outlets have reported that several raids may target major U.S. cities including Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City. New Orleans was previously reported as a target city however, recent evacuation declarations have been made in light of Tropical Storm Barry and looks to provide little solace.
The mass operation is said to target a certain group of individuals:
Undocumented minors who came to the U.S. without their parents and have since turned 18;
Undocumented immigrants who were ordered Removed in Absentia; and
Undocumented immigrants who missed immigration court hearings and did not respond to correspondence from the Department of Justice or Homeland Security Investigations.
What are your rights during an immigration raid?
It is absolutely vital to know your rights during an immigration raid. Be prepared and well informed of your guaranteed and inalienable rights before finding yourself the target of an immigration raid. It is also important to understand that when immigration raids take place, ICE agents often break the law and violate your due process rights.
First and foremost, schedule a consultation with Diver Law Firm to fully understand your rights during any immigration raid and develop a plan on what your actions should and should not be to ensure your safety and well-being. Most importantly, be prepared should any raids take place in your community this weekend; call today.
You should also inform your family and loved ones so you and they are better prepared should an ICE agent show up to your home. It is vital to note that you should never lie or mislead an immigration officer; it is your right to remain silent and you should do so. It is also crucial that you never, under any circumstance, sign a document without an immigration attorney present. Further, if ICE tries to force or intimidate you to sign a document, it is your right to absolutely refuse. You may also takes steps to reduce the risk to yourself and others. You should always stay calm and do not run, argue, resist, or obstruct immigration officers during this time. It is so important that you always keep your hands where officers can see them during immigration raids or interactions with law enforcement.
Although there are several common instances where you may find yourself confronted by Homeland Security Investigations, or ICE agents. Although every situation is different, it is important you understand the following rights because they are applicable in many confrontations with immigration officials.
Your Rights
You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration officers, or other officials during an immigration raid. Anything that you say may be used against you in immigration court. In some states, you must provide your name to law enforcement though, you do not have to answer any further questions.
If you are not a United States citizen and an immigration official requests your immigration status or papers, you must show them if you have them with you.
If an immigration official or ICE agent asks to search you or your home, you have the right to say no. Law enforcement and immigration officials do not have the right to search you, your home, or your belongings without your consent, probable cause, or a warrant signed by a judge.
If you are over the age of 18, it is so important that you carry your immigration papers with you at all times. If you are over 18 and find yourself the subject of an immigration raid or arrest without your immigration papers, it is vital you tell the officer that you wish to remain silent and that you wish to consult with an immigration attorney before answering any questions.
If you remember these certain rights during an immigration raid, you will likely find yourself in a better position to challenge a future deportation or removal order. In the event you, a loved one, or someone you know are confronted by law enforcement or immigration officials, know your rights and be prepared. The very least you can do to prepare yourself is write, remember, or know the following:
You have the right to make a phone call.
You have the right to speak to an immigration attorney.
You have the right to remain silent unless your immigration attorney is present.
You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
There are several additional resources should you find yourself in need:
Contact your local American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) affiliate
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) - Know Your Rights
NILC - A Toolkit for Organizations Responding to Mass Worksite Immigration Raids
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) - Print Your Red Card
American immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) - Know Your Rights for Home Visits, Worksite Raids, and Public Stops
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Forms
Form 10-002, Electronic Funds Transfer Waiver Request Form (PDF | 367 KB)
Form 60-001, Privacy Waiver for Authorizing Disclosure to a Third Party (PDF | 367 KB)
Form 71-051, Request for Immigration Bond Information by Alien (PDF | 544 KB)
Form G-79A, Information Relating to Beneficiary of Private Bill (PDF | 643 KB)
Form I-246, Application for Stay of Deportation or Removal (PDF | 626 KB)
Form I-312, Designation of Attorney In Fact (PDF | 547 KB)
Form I-312A, Revocation of Designation of Attorney In Fact (PDF | 547 KB)
Form I-333, Obligor Change of Address (PDF | 535 KB)
Form I-352, Immigration Bond (PDF | 584 KB)
Form I-392, Notification of Departure of Alien Bonded (PDF | 546 KB)
Form I-395, Affidavit in Lieu of Lost Receipt of United States ICE for Collateral Accepted as Security (PDF | 563 KB)
Form I-901, Fee Remittance Form for certain F, J, and M Non-Immigrants (PDF | 701 KB)