12 February 16 - February 22, 2017 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion
I m m ig r a n ts u n d e r s ie g e in N ew York
By Janet H ow ard oral spokeswoman, said that its critical, if you are detained
the city will continue to sup by federal agents to demand
President Donald Trumps port the nearly 40 percent of a lawyer. It is your right. The
attack on immigrants has ar New Yorkers who are foreign- lawyer you hire does make a
rived in New York. Trump has bornboth documented difference. The ability to have
vowed to deport at least 3 mil and undocumented. Rough a lawyerquality legal rep
lion undocumented people ly half a million residents resentation, such as a lawyer
who, he says, have criminal of the five boroughs are be who is a member of the Amer
backgrounds. Fact checkers lieved to be undocumented. ican Immigration Lawyers As
have found that the number The mayors office says it has sociation [AILA]makes a
Trump cites for undocum ent received reports about immi huge difference in the out
ed immigrants with criminal gration enforcement activity come in your case. Do not
backgrounds is inflated. Im in the city, and that it is close open your door for ICE agents
migration authorities have ly monitoring the situation. unless they slip you a warrant
already arrested hundreds of The mayor says city officials under the door. ICE agents are
undocumented immigrants and the NYPD will not act as not your friends. With the new
in at least six states in raids, immigration agents and will administration, they are now
pursuant to an executive never ask New Yorkers about empowered even more. There
order Trump signed in Jan their immigration status. But are ways to protect yourself
uary. That EO expanded the what about the ICE agents and your family. For example,
category of immigrants lack descending on New York and being a U.S. citizen protects
ing proper paperwork that creating havoc, despair and you and your family from de
federal authorities would fear, Mr. Mayor? portation; children 17 years
target for arrest and expul In the wake of increased and under derive citizenship
sion. Rather than focusing, immigration enforcement, from just one parent being 2. If an immigration officer your home country, you have
as President Barack Obama advocates say many of the a U.S. citizen. We have been asks for proof that you are a the right to request a meeting
did, on individuals with vi citys immigrants are afraid offering free citizenship as legal resident of the United with an immigration officer.
olent criminal convictions, of being detained. Immi sistance every week for over States and wants to see some 6. Do not sign anything you
Immigration and Customs grant advocacy organizations 10 years. If you have been a identification, you have the dont understand. You might
Enforcement now has a m an have been flooded with calls Green Card holder for five right to refuse to give them be signing a voluntary depor
date to nab undocumented from immigrants who are years or married to a U.S. citiyour ID. You can also refuse to tation order.
immigrants if they have ever fearful, nervous and freaking zen for three, apply for Ameri answer any of their questions. 7. Some cases can be re
been accused of any crime, out. Many people are wor can citizenship. For those who Unless they have a warrant, solved with the help of an
even where such charge has ried theyll be deported be are undocumented, there are you have no obligation to in immigration attorney. The
not been resolved. cause theyre here illegally. other legal options to legal teract with them at all. You lawyer can request for a court
Immigration advocates say Some have enjoyed protec ization in lieu of Comprehen can ask, "Am I arrested?" If the date to meet with an immi
40 people in and around the tion under Obama's Deferred sive Immigration Reform. You answer is no, you do not need gration judge and help solve
city have been arrested by Action for Childhood Arriv have to explain your case to to give them any information your case. You dont have the
federal authorities as part of als program; others are in the an attorney. We offer free legalregarding your legal status in right to an attorney provided
a nationwide crackdown on process of trying to obtain consultations every week the U.S. Showing them ID is by the state, but you do have
immigrant communities. ICE documentation, pro-immi through our radio program on totally optional. the right to see your own at
confirmed the num ber of ar grant organizers say. WVIP 93.5FM on Thursdays 3. If you are being interro torney. Call the law firm of
rests to the press. Raids were Brian Figeroux, Esq., senior [10 p.m. to 11 p.m.] and Sun gated, do not give false infor Figeroux & Associates at 855-
conducted in five states as partner of the law firm of Fig days [11 p.m. to midnight]. mation, and do not give them 768-8845.
well, including California, eroux & Associates, stated, Also, we have free immigra false documentation. You can 8. Who should you call?
where approximately 150 im These are difficult and ner tion meetings the last Thurs be charged with identity theft Call a family member to con
migrants were seized. vous times. We understand day at 6 p.m. and first Saturdayif you show them forged doc tact an immigration lawyer.
On Church and Flatbush av the nervousness and fear; it at noon of every month at uments or someone elses When you enter an immigra
enues in Brooklyn, there are is real. We have been fighting 26 Court St., Suite 701. Now documents, even if you have tion center, they will assign
confirmed reports of immi for immigrants since 1996 more than ever, is the time to legal status. Remember that you an A#, which is your alien
gration agents on the prowl. and will continue to do so. fight back; know your rights, everything you say or do can number. Make sure you give
Also, there are confirmed re Figeroux advises, One of defend them and take action. be used against you. your A# to the people you talk
ports of ramped up enforce the most important things to 4. If immigration officials to on the outside helping with
ment raids on Staten Island. know is that, this is America What to do if youre ques (ICE) begin to knock on your your case. If you have no one
Rosemary Boeglin, a may- and everyone has rights. So tioned or detained by ICE door, you have the right not else to call, you should call
1. No ICE officer should to open the door. They only the law firm of Figeroux & As
stop anybody based on ap have the right to enter to your sociates at 855-768-8845.
amstcrffim Netosital pearance alone; regardless home if they have a warrant
of your ethnicity, the color of from a judge. This is not legal advice. You
your skin, the way you dress 5. If you are arrested in an should consult an attorney.
Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher
a n d E d ito r in C h ie f
or talk or the language youre immigration detention center Call 855-768-8845 for a con
M em ber speaking. Its the law. and you dont want to return to sultation.
Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: M a n a g in g E d ito r
At
A llia n c e fo r
Nayaba Arinde: E d ito r
HAVEALETTERTOTHEEDITOR?
Penda Howell: V ic e P re s id e n t, S a le s , A d v e rtis in g
A u d ite d M e d ia
Wilbert A. Tatum ( 1984- 2009 ): MAIL TO:
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