After a brief pause in enforcement activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has returned to its harsh and aggressive tactics in arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants across the United States. Many of these individuals have lived and worked in this country for decades and have no outstanding criminal warrants or arrest records. Nonetheless, ICE has begun rounding up immigrants and rushing them through the deportation process as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Acting Against the Best Interests of the Country
Although ICE continues to claim that it is targeting criminals and dangerous individuals, many of those who are selected for a New York ICE arrest have only minor traffic violations on their record or no record at all. This new push to arrest and detain immigrants goes against the wave of public opinion:
- Three out of four adults surveyed by the Pew Research Center in June 2020 indicated that they were in favor of a pathway to legal immigration status for undocumented immigrants in the United States.
- Another survey released in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center indicated that 32 percent of Trump’s own supporters believe that immigrants provide real support to society.
These indications of positive public responses to the contributions of immigrants, however, have not slowed New York ICE arrest activities or detentions. Despite claims by ICE, these detentions, arrests and deportations could affect any immigrant without proper documentation regardless of their criminal record or lack of one.
The Value of a New York Immigration Lawyer
For immigrants worried about a New York ICE arrest, detention or potential deportation, working with a qualified and experienced New York immigration lawyer is the best way to resolve issues with undocumented immigration status, visa overstays and aggressive actions by ICE and other immigration authorities. Working with a qualified attorney will allow you and your family to take steps to correct your immigration status and to avoid issues with ICE that could result in the loss of your freedom and your removal from the United States.
At Oltarsh & Associates, P.C., we work with immigrants to help them resolve issues with documentation and to ensure that they and their families can remain in the United States legally. If you need a qualified and compassionate New York immigration lawyer, we can provide the help you need now and in the future. Give us a call at 212-944-9420 to schedule a free case evaluation with our attorneys. We look forward to the opportunity to help you and your family with all your immigration needs.
