ICE Raids

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

For the second time in less than a month, the Customs and Immigration Service has announced that it will carry out raids in 10 cities in the country. As happened last June, few details are known about the operation.

In which cities will it occur? Who are they looking for? Will they ask for random identification? Am I or is my family in danger, even if we have residence or citizenship?

This and many other questions surround the operation that is part of President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy, and who weeks ago threatened to "deport millions."

What to do if ICE knocks on your door? Here 5 important points according to the experts:

1 get ready

Have all the documents in order. The most important thing when a person is detained in a raid is to show how long they have been in the United States,”attorney Claudia Cañizares explains to People en Español. “If the person has been less than two years old, she is subject to an expedited removal, however, if the person has been more than two years old, she would not be subject to an expedited removal and has the right to see an immigration judge. Therefore, if you are undocumented in this country, you should keep evidence of the time you have been present and documents that support the time you have been in this country. If she were involved in a raid, she can demonstrate that she has been in custody for more than two years and is not subject to expedited deportation.”

2 don't open the door

"If an immigration officer shows up at your home, you have the right to deny him entry," says the Cuban lawyer. “Immigration officers cannot enter your home unless they have a court order. Therefore, you have the right to ask them to give you the document that allows you to enter the house. If this document is not sealed by a judge or signed by a judge, you do not have to open the door for them. If officers enter your home, they do have the right to detain all people who are undocumented inside the home, so it is important to have the necessary documents.”

3 Ask for a lawyer, do not sign anything

Shannon CamachoCoordinator of the Los Angeles Rapid Raids Response Network (CHIRLA) campaign told the Democracy Now radio program: “Go to workshops to know your rights. We tell our people not to open the door if ICE knocks on your door, stay silent if ICE stops you on the street. Please do not sign anything and ask to speak to an immigration attorney before providing any personal information. ICE is only allowed to enter a house with a court order that must bear the name, address, and time and date of the incident for which that person is clearly indicated in the order. They have no right to enter a person's home without it. Regardless of ICE's aggressiveness. No matter what they do, don't open the door because without that order they cannot enter an individual's home. That is what we say to immigrants from our community in Los Angeles.”

4 Support your neighbors, document deportation

“If your neighbors or someone you know is being detained by ICE,“document it”, explained Natalia Aristizábal, co-director of community organization for the Make organization of Road New York. The activist assures that filming what is happening with your phone helps detect irregularities and manifests "support" with the community. "It makes them feel like they are not alone and without rights."

5 Prepare yourself, prepare your family

“If you have had a prior deportation order, if you have had any prior contact with ICE, you may be one of the people who will come looking for you. Definitely prepare your family”, explains Aristizábal. “If you have young children, decide who in your family will take care of that child. Prepare your passport, keep it in a safe and easy to reach place and make sure that someone in your house knows where these documents are.”

And remember:

According to the United States Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a person cannot be deported without having had the right to a court hearing to clarify their case.