In 2018, the Trump Administration deported over 256,000 immigrants and implemented several controversial policies to complicate the legal immigration process and prevent illegal border crossings. Just last week, President Trump terrified American immigrants by tweeting that ICE would start deporting “millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States,” prompting reporters and critics to remind people that the deportation process can’t be modified or circumvented by a well-timed re-election tweet.
However, an anonymous source later released a list of 10 cities that ICE was planning to raid on June 23, 2019. Horrified Americans immediately took action by sending warnings to potential victims, writing to lawmakers, and scheduling protests across the country. City mayors also spoke out against the expected raids; for example, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the Chicago PD would not cooperate with the anti-immigration agency. ICE officials repeatedly refused to release details about the raids, and conservative politicians were forced to point fingers when no one stepped forward as the whistleblower.
On June 22, 2019, the Saturday before the raids were scheduled to commence, President Trump tweeted, “At the request of Democrats, I have delayed the Illegal Immigration Removal Process (Deportation) for two weeks to see if the Democrats and Republicans can get together and work out a solution to the Asylum and Loophole problems at the Southern Border. If not, Deportations start!”
Before public pressure halted the raids, ICE was scheduled to arrest and deport 2,000 people in the following cities:
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Chicago
- Denver
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New Orleans
- New York
- San Francisco
Unfortunately, there have been reports of stealthy ICE arrests occurring in the same cities cited by the anonymous informant. Ava-joye Burnett, a reporter with CBS Baltimore, published an article about 6 arrests that took place in Columbia: “Witnesses say an Exxon in Columbia was the site of immigration enforcement where six people were arrested – though ICE would not comment of any specific enforcement…A Howard County Police spokesperson said ICE contacted them Wednesday morning about enforcement activity, adding ICE did not request any assistance – nor did the police offer.”
Why Now? Why These Cities?
The Executive Office for Immigration Review started tracking family cases in these locations back in 2018. According to Mark Morgan, the acting head of ICE, the agency sent notices to these families because they had received final orders of removal by judges in absentia. These notices asked the families to self-report to local ICE offices to start the deportation process.
But people aren’t sure if they can believe Morgan. After the president’s tweet made headlines, Morgan issued the following statement to reporters: “If you’re here illegally, then you should be removed. And in this case, that includes families.” However, after public backlash hit its peak, Morgan quickly backpedaled, stating, “Our goal is not to separate families.”
What Happens to the Families?
If the ICE raids are rescheduled, any families that are taken into custody will be moved to ICE family residential detention centers. The families will have an opportunity to contact a lawyer and appeal their cases. The parents of minor citizens will be fitted with ankle bracelets and allowed to stay with their children until they can get their affairs in order (officials have yet to provide additional details).
Do You Require a Deportation or Family Immigration Lawyer? Call Guerra Sáenz, PL Today
Contact the deportation and family immigration attorney at Guerra Sáenz, PL if you believe that your family is being targeted by ICE. Our lead attorney, Luis A. Guerra, is Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization Education. Our knowledgeable and experienced legal team can review your case, represent your interests, and guide you through each step of your unique legal journey. Our firm has represented over 1,000 immigration cases before the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Department of State. No matter the complexity of your case, you can rely on Guerra Sáenz, PL.
We keep families together. Call Guerra Sáenz, PL today at (888) 936-3228 schedule a consultation.