President Donald Trump has threatened to start operations to deport millions of undocumented immigrants living in the US. As part of this, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had scheduled an operation this past Sunday that would have targeted at least 2,000 families in 10 cities across the country. Trump called off the operation on Saturday evening, saying he was postponing it for two weeks in order for Democrats in Congress to make changes to asylum laws.
While immigration lawyers say it is impossible for the administration to arrest and deport millions of people, they urge those with open deportation cases or questions with their immigration status to consult with immigration law experts as soon as possible to avoid being caught up as part of any possible future raids.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advices immigrants that they have Constitutionally guaranteed rights regardless of their immigration status. The ACLU advices the following if by any chance ICE knocks on your door (other you have a current legal immigration status in the US or not):
- Stay calm and keep the door closed. ICE should not come inside your door without permission. If police have an arrest warrant, they are legally allowed to enter the home of the person on the warrant if they believe that person is inside. But a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.
- You have the right to remain silent, even if the officer has a warrant
- Do not lie about your immigration status
- Do not provide false documents
- Do not sign anything without first speaking with a lawyer
- Do not run
- If ICE agents say they have a warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can read it
- If ICE agents force their way in, do not resist. IF you wish to remain silent after they break in, it is your constitutional right to do so
- If you are on probation with a search condition, law enforcement is allowed to enter our home
