Articles Posted in Deportation & Removal

It seems that the prediction of more and more enforcement before the elections is true. Federal agents swept through a chicken processing plant today, detaining more than 300 suspected illegal immigrants, sending panicked workers running and screaming through the hallways. Worried relatives collected outside, fearful their loved ones would be deported.

It is a clear message sent by the government – if you are hiring illegals, we will raid you and make sure the rest of the world will know about it. Employers desperate for workers, will find it more and more difficult to hire legally. Those that will hire illegally will pay the price. It is time for our immigration system to change.

Read the full raid story here

Due to limited resources the government is using private contractors to secure and run immigration jails. The abuse and terrible conditions in these jails is beyond unreasonable. Many detainees from California are being sent to Arizona and Washington state jails for lack of detention space. Federal authorities are taking a second look at security guards at the Northwest Detention Center, a privately run immigration lockup in Tacoma, after finding that some were hired without preliminary background checks, The Associated Press has learned.

“Clearly this is a cause for concern,” said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Read more here

Recently, USCIS, released a memo on inadmissibility due to HIV infection in light of the President’s signing of H.R. 5501.

On July 30, 2008, the President signed into law the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, Public Law No.1 10-293. Scction 305 of P.L. 110-293 amends sec. 212(a)(I)(A)(i) of the Act. so that HHS is no longer required to designate HIV infection as a “communicable disease” of public health significance. HHS has not amended 42 CFR 34.2(b) to remove HIV infection from the list of diseases that qualify as a communicable disease of public health significance. Until HHS does amend 42 CFR 34.2(b). someone with HIV infection, as diagnosed by the civil surgeon or panel physician, remains inadmissible under 212(a)( 1)(A)(i) of the Act.

Until further notice, aliens who are applying for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status and who are found to have an HIV infection are still required to file Form 1-60 I, Application for Waiver of Grounds of inadmissibility. Such waivers are extremely complicated, so make sure to consult an experienced attorney.

What is the latest scandal from Washington? Applicants seeking asylum in the United States have been wrongfully rejected by judges whom the administration chose using a conservative political test, according to an analysis of Justice Department data.

According to the New York Times, the investigation suggests that the effects of a patronage-style selection process for immigration judges — used for three years before it was abandoned as illegal, are still being felt by thousands of applicants whose cases are determined by the judges appointed in that period. Tougher times for applicants and for us lawyers trying to defend them. Read the story here…

We have recently taken on a deportation case that touched the hearts of all of us at the office. This Italian national that entered on a visa waiver, married a US citizen and fathered a child. Now he is detained by ICE, subject to expedited removal. Is he eligible for a bond and a hearing before a judge? No, not under our current immigration system. We are fighting to stay his deportation, and the entire Italian community is behind us. We are going to discuss the case on 1170AM KCBQ radio this evening, listen to the show tonight. We will keep you posted on the progress of this case.

Here is what Roberto Roucco, the Italian Vice Consul has to say about this matter in a letter to Congresswoman Susan Davis:

Dear Congresswoman Susan Davis:

Felony cultivation of marijuana in violation of Cal. Health & Safety Code §11358 is categorically an aggravated felony drug trafficking crime under INA §101(a)(43)(B).

In August 1999, Petitioner, a lawful permanent resident, was convicted of felony cultivation of marijuana under Cal. Health & Safety Code §11358. Petitioner was charged with deportability for having been convicted of a controlled substance. The immigration judge concluded that Petitioner’s conviction constituted an aggravated felony which rendered him ineligible for relief from removal. The BIA affirmed and Petitioner was deported to Mexico in August 2004. In November 2004, Petitioner was arrested in California and indicted under INA §276 as a previously deported alien found in the U.S. without the permission of the Attorney General or DHS.

Petitioner moved to dismiss the indictment, arguing that his prior deportation was invalid because the IJ failed to inform him that he was eligible for cancellation of removal.

Read the Decision here Download file

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Amazing video, every fact is sad but true…

According to ICE and other government enforcement agencies, a recurrent issue encountered in worksite enforcement investigations today is the abuse of the Social Security card by individuals seeking to satisfy the work authorization requirements mandated by federal law. The Social Security card has long been a favorite of fraudulent document vendors.

The advisory issued by ICE is alerting employers to beware of a new trend in false documents presented by unauthorized foreign workers. ICE describes a commonly found ‘three pack’ that includes a false Social Security card, state driver’s license or identity card, and a work authorization document (or EAD card). Typically, an unauthorized worker also assumes the identity of a foreign national who is authorized to work, using that individual’s documents with a photograph fraudulently added.

Employers can no longer hide behind claims that they did not know of unauthorized workers, if it can be shown that the employer should have known about a violation. Employers should be aware of their responsibilities and rights under the law.

A recent story in San Diego Union Tribune outlines the risks of helping the US government, hoping to get protection in return. The story of a Nigerian immigrant that tried to work with the system

“This is a man who assisted the United States government as an informant, helping them prosecute drug-related crimes, and in so doing, he has put his life at complete risk. We believe that creates an obligation on the part of the United States to protect him,” said Meetali Jain, an attorney at the American University Washington College of Law International Human Rights Law Clinic.

Enwonwu, 58, has spent about five of the last 11 years in detention while fighting his deportation order. His legal appeals all but exhausted, he now is asking to be spared on humanitarian grounds.