Texas Immigration Lawyer Blog

ICE Raids are expected: Resources and Reminders

ICE Raids are reportedly beginning this weekend. Although Waco is not one of the cities that is said to be a target, these materials from AILA will help in preparing for and responding to ICE enforcement actions.

Houston is the only Texas city that is listed as a target for raids. An excellent resource there is The Houston Immigrant Rights Hotline 1-833-468-4664 (1-833-HOU-IMMI),
Monday-Friday/lunes-viernes, 9am-5pm (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi,
Russian, Vietnamese, Korean)

If ICE visits your HOME: 

• Don't open the door unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge (not an ICE or DHS official).
  • If the officers say they have a search warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can see it.
  • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
  • If you decide to speak with the officers, speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. 
  • Once the officers enter your house, they will want to speak to everyone, even those not listed on the search warrant. 
• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak with the immigration officers or answer any questions.
  • Tell the officers that you choose to remain silent.
  • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
  • DO NOT SHOW ANY FALSE DOCUMENTS.
  • DO NOT LIE.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. 
  • Tell the officers that you want to talk with a lawyer before speaking with them.
  • If you have a lawyer and a signed G-28 (proof that you have a lawyer), give it to the officer.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono (no cost or low cost) lawyers.
  • You can refuse to sign anything without speaking with a lawyer.
  • IF YOU DO SIGN, make sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. 
• You have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

ICE Raids are expected: Resources and Reminders - What if they come to your house?

ICE Raids are reportedly beginning this weekend. Although Waco is not one of the cities that is said to be a target, these materials from AILA will help in preparing for and responding to ICE enforcement actions.

Houston is the only Texas city that is listed as a target for raids. An excellent resource there is The Houston Immigrant Rights Hotline 1-833-468-4664 (1-833-HOU-IMMI),
Monday-Friday/lunes-viernes, 9am-5pm (English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi,
Russian, Vietnamese, Korean)

If ICE visits your HOME: 

• Don't open the door unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a Judge (not an ICE or DHS official).
  • If the officers say they have a search warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so that you can see it.
  • If the warrant does not have your correct name and address you do not have to open the door or let them inside.
  • If you decide to speak with the officers, speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door. 
  • Once the officers enter your house, they will want to speak to everyone, even those not listed on the search warrant. 
• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak with the immigration officers or answer any questions.
  • Tell the officers that you choose to remain silent.
  • You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.
  • DO NOT SHOW ANY FALSE DOCUMENTS.
  • DO NOT LIE.
• You have the right to speak to a lawyer. If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer. 
  • Tell the officers that you want to talk with a lawyer before speaking with them.
  • If you have a lawyer and a signed G-28 (proof that you have a lawyer), give it to the officer.
  • If you do not have a lawyer, ask an immigration officer for a list of pro bono (no cost or low cost) lawyers.
  • You can refuse to sign anything without speaking with a lawyer.
  • IF YOU DO SIGN, make sure you understand exactly what the document says and means before you sign it. 
• You have the right to contact your consulate. The consulate may be able to assist you in locating a lawyer.

Washington Post Lists Treating “Immigrants as People” as “In” for 2012

Immigration Impact

You wouldn’t know it from listening to the ridiculous anti-immigrant rhetoric over the past year, but treating immigrants like actual human beings is a concept some hope catches fire in 2012. The Washington Post recently added “immigrants as people” on “The List: 2012”—their annual zeitgeist-inspired list of ins and outs for the new year. Granted, “peacock feathers” and “Margaret Thatcher” also made the “in” column, but dialing down the immigrant bashing—a message Republican presidential candidates clearly missed during previous debates—is an idea that GOP political strategists are now embracing.

Families in US fear kidnappings in Mexico

NY Times 

Sent from my iPhone

U.S. Consulate in Juárez closed by bomb threat

 Austin American Statesman - a bomb threat on Thursday forced the closing of the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The consulate processes all immigrant visa applications for Mexico. It is unknown when the Consulate will reopen. Appointments for visa applications will be rescheduled through the call center.

Immigration decision watched in Waco

Waco Tribune Herald -  

Bill Teeter reports on reactions in Waco, Texas, to Judge Susan Bolton's decision to block portions of Arizona's controversial immigration law.

Arizona enjoined from enforcing SB1070 in part.

Arizona SB 1070 -

Judge Susan R. Bolton has enjoined the State of Arizona from enforcing parts of SB1070, including those sections that:

(1) require mandatory immigration verification upon arrest or during a lawful stop;

(2) make it a crime for an alien to fail to carry documentation of status;

(3) make it a crime for an alien to apply for work in Arizona without proper authorization; and

(4) require arrest for public offenses that make an alien removable.

Judge Bolton found that the federal government will most likely succeed on its claims that the Arizona law is preempted by federal immigration law.

Texas Monthly explores the crisis on the Texas/Mexico border

Near/Far -  by Nate Blakeslee

"More than 9,000 [Mexican citizens] have applied [for asylum] at border crossings in the past three years, but only 183 have been allowed to stay in the United States."

"[R]efugees fleeing the violence in Mexico do not fit neatly into any of the protected categories identified by existing asylum law, which is meant to apply to people who are being persecuted by governments because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinions, or membership in a particular social group. “It’s difficult to protect people caught in the crossfire under asylum law,” said Barbara Hines, an immigration expert at the University of Texas School of Law. If refugees can show that the government in their home country is unwilling or unable to shield them from violence, however, they may have a case."

 

Texas Monthly video explores the crisis on the Texas/Mexico border

Bordertown -  

Excellent video exploring the current crisis on the Texas/Mexico border with an emphasis on El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico.