President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to launch the largest immigration deportation crackdown in the history of the US, and he has begun fulfilling that promise. While enforcement is being ramped up, large-scale deportation will require new funding from congress and resources from state and local law-enforcement, which has not happened yet.
- Anyone currently in the U.S illegally, with no previous criminal convictions or prior deportations and has been law abiding, may have some time to explore available options for legal immigration and should speak to an immigration Attorney. Because U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is currently targeting people who are considered to be public safety threats such as gang members, drug dealers, repeat immigration offenders.
- Still, immigrants need be careful where they go and with whom, because it’s possible to become a collateral target for deportation if found with someone who is a primary target due to their past criminal history or any other category.
ICE Arrests
- ICE can arrest people in public places like a shopping center parking lot, or they can pull you over on the highway.
- But if ICE comes to your house, you don’t have to let them in unless they show you a warrant signed by a judge. Which you can request that they slip under the door.
- You also should know that ICE can obtain a criminal warrant from a judge, and they can break down your door at 5 a.m. if they have reasonable cause to believe that a criminal illegal immigrant lives in that house.
Biden administration
- During the Biden administration, ICE was prevented from making arrests in so-called sensitive areas such as schools or churches. That’s no longer the case.
- Anyone who is arrested has a right to remain silent and to request for an attorney.
- But should not resist arrest or lie to law-enforcement because that might lead to unintended criminal charges.
- Also, people can be detained during regular check ins with immigration officials, this can happen when they are out of status and have exhausted all legal options to remain in the U.S, even if they are law abiding and never committed any crime.