In the last year, the Trump Administration has enacted increasingly controversial policies specifically targeting immigrants living in the United States. Recently, these detrimental policies have been affecting Hispanic citizens living along the Texas-Mexico border. Even though these citizens have birth certificates validating their citizenship, they are being denied U.S. passports and forced into immigration detention centers. Many are viewing these actions as another direct attack against the Latino community.
Even the justification for this policy is alarming. According to the government, midwives and gynecologists working at the border have been issuing fraudulent birth certificates to babies born in Mexico. Reportedly, a few birth attendants have been interrogated in court and admitted to participating in this practice. However, this doesn’t excuse the fact that thousands of Texas residents are now having their citizenship questioned. In fact, American citizens are even having their passports confiscated by Customs and Border Protection agents. When these citizens refuse to confess that they were born in Mexico, they are forced into deportation proceedings.
Currently, the State Department is requesting that Hispanic passport applicants provide additional information and documents to validate their citizenship.
The State Department is reportedly requesting the following documents from applicants:
- Rental agreements that prove U.S. birth residency
- Receipts for mother’s prenatal care
- A baptismal certificate
Unfortunately, applicants have been unsuccessful even if they are sending the requested information. This policy is even affecting active and reserve military servicemembers. Many passport applicants are suing the government because these passports denials have placed them in a bizarre legal limbo. While their paperwork states that they are American citizens, the government is not acknowledging it.
Pursue Legal Action
Contact Guerra Sáenz, PL if you’re concerned about your immigration status or have been denied a passport. Our Coral Springs immigration attorney can fiercely represent your case, defend your citizenship rights, and protect you from deportation.
Call Guerra Sáenz, PL today at (888) 936-3228 schedule a consultation.