A NOTICE TO OUR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS

Over the past week, there have been dozens of news stories about the changes made by President Trump as it relates to Immigration, Detention, and Deportation. While we are working hard to ensure that you, our clients and friends, are protected to the fullest extent possible by law, there are certain risks that you should be made aware of and ways in which you might be able to best protect yourself:

1. Up until the time that you become a United States Citizen, you are at risk of being deported. All visas, including Green Cards, are revocable at the discretion of the Government and often without any requirement of proof. However, if you do not break the law, stay out of trouble, and are a productive member of society, your risk of deportation is minimized.

2. Until you are granted asylum, you are at risk of detention. While the law says that you cannot be deported if you seek asylum, there is nothing in the law that says that the Government cannot detain you until that time. You should always keep a copy of your I-589 file on your phone as well as any other documents that show you have applied for asylum.

3. Immigration raids are not unique under President Trump. In fact, they were prevalent under President Obama as well. The best way to protect yourself is to always keep a copy of your immigration documents on hand to show the officers that you are in fact complying with the current laws.

4. You should not skip and/or avoid any appointments/check-ins with ICE /USCIS that you are required to do just because you are afraid of being arrested. Because the government can choose to detain you at almost any time, the risk is the same if you go to ICE/USCIS or not. However, if you skip any required appointments/check-ins, you are then considered to be out of compliance with the law, and you will most likely be detained.

We know these are uncertain times and you have every right to be afraid. However, the best way to protect yourself is to follow the law, comply with the ICE/USCIS’s rules, stay in touch with your attorneys, and always be prepared by having a copy of your information on you.

We will get through these dark times together. We successfully navigated hundreds of cases during the first Trump administration, and will continue to do so long after he leaves office.

Stay positive. Stay safe. We are here to help you. 
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