Recent Enforcement Efforts in theUnited States: A Call to Action
Recent Enforcement Actions
•What? January 2nd-4th ICE apprehended 121individuals in Texas, North Carolina, Georgia
•Who? – Mostly mothers who had final ordersof removal who had arrived after 1/1/2014
•Why?
–Enforce the laws?
–Deter migration?
•What’s next?
Due Process Concerns Exist forThese Families
•January 2016: CARA appeals 12 enforcementcases to BIA and wins stays of deportation for33 people
•January 26: Southern Poverty Law Centerfinds problems with many of the efforts
•January 28: Women write letters to PresidentObama
What Is Motivation for the Actions?
•Policy Guidance: DHS Policies for theApprehension, Detention and Removal ofUndocumented Immigrants Memo-11/20/2014
•Political Reasoning?
•Timing Rationale?
Who Is A Target?
•If you don’t fall into one of the three categories identifiedby the government as priorities for deportation, there is lesschance that ICE will pick you up to deport you.
• However, DHS has said that there will be moredeportations, in keeping with these priorities PresidentBarack Obama established:
1.People who are considered a threat to national security, toborder security, or who have been convicted of serious crimes,such as participation in a gang.
2.People who have been convicted of specific types of othercrimes, such as drug trafficking or sexual abuse.
3. People who were issued deportation orders after Jan. 1, 2014.
How to Reduce Your Risk of BeingDeported?
•If you are in the process of seeking asylum or any othertype of legal status, continue to go to appointments withimmigration authorities and judges.
•If you move, be sure you notify ICE and the ExecutiveOffice for Immigration Review.
•Don’t break the law.
•If you haven’t spoken to a qualified attorney or BIAaccredited representative about your legal status, seekhelp from one. You may learn there are options forimproving your legal situation. Find a local CLINICaffiliate here: www.cliniclegal.org/affiliates/directory.
Know Your Rights
•Do not open the door to immigration agents orpolice unless they have a legal document withyour name on it.
•Ask them to slip it under the door before youadmit them.
•Tell your children not to open the door.
•Remain silent. You do not have to answer theirquestions.
•Do not sign anything and ask to speak with anattorney or legal representative.
Advocacy to End Family Detention andStop Enforcement Actions AgainstFamilies
1)Policy Ask: Tell the White House:
– STOP DETAINING FAMILIES
– STOP TARGETING FAMILIES
2)Community Ask: Work to Assist TheseFamilies in Your Community- Welcome,Accompaniment, Legal Services
3)Awareness Ask: Educate your fellowparishioners about recent enforcement actions
Questions
•Ashley Feasley, Director of Advocacyafeasley@cliniclegal.org