PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP surprised even his own officials when he announced via Twitter on June 17 that his administration will deport “millions of illegal aliens” in the next weeks, less than 24 hours before his rally in Florida to “kickoff his 2020 re-election campaign.”
Of course, we all know Trump has already started campaigning and fundraising as soon as he was sworn into office, having already held 60 campaign rallies in the past two years.
Jealous of the media spotlight on Democratic candidates, he staged his Florida rally on June 18 to steal back the spotlight on him, using his tried and tested issue to fire up his base — fan the flame of hate against undocumented immigrants, plus the media and his political opponents.
BUT Trump’s announced mass arrest of millions of undocumented immigrants, which blindsided even those who would carry this out, would be impossible to be executed as Trump promised his supporters.
According to the New York Times, what ICE agents have signaled for weeks was that the agency would conduct raids targeting thousands of migrant families in homes and communities, something one of the Homeland Security officials confirmed on Tuesday, June 18 was expected in the coming weeks.
The target would be people who did not show up in their deportation hearings. Again, this would be thousands, and not millions, that Trump promised to fire up his base.
The Times further reported that “ICE has requested that agents in Homeland Security Investigations — the branch of the agency that conducts long-term investigations into human trafficking and drug smuggling — assist Enforcement and Removal Operations, which deports undocumented immigrants, according to the two homeland security officials. They said the nationwide reallocation of resources was rare and a sign that ICE would soon conduct mass arrests. But agents were not clear what specifically Mr. Trump was referring to in his tweet on Monday.”
Atty. Lou Tancinco, legal counsel of The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America,” reminds all immigrants who may be subjected to Trump’s announced mass arrest of their rights.
Tancinco wrote that the Immigration Legal Resource Center based in San Francisco CA released the Know Your Rights below which may be asserted if the inescapable ICE visit or arrest takes place.
This will help you all — whether you are an undocumented immigrant, or someone with work permit and other legal papers, green card, or a naturalized citizen targeted because of the color of your skin.
1. You have the right to remain silent.
You can assert your fifth amendment right. You can refuse to speak to an ICE agent. Do not answer any questions, especially about your birthplace, immigration status or how you entered the United States. Say that you want to remain silent until you speak with a lawyer.
2. You have the right to demand a warrant before letting anyone into your home.
The ICE agent may not enter your home without a warrant. You do not have to give permission for him to enter. It is okay not to open your door unless the agent shows you the warrant. If the warrant is presented to you, ask the agent to slip it under the door or through the window. Make sure it is signed by a judge with your correct name, address and date of birth.
3. You have the right to speak to a lawyer and the right to make a phone call.
It is important to have your attorney’s phone number handy. You will be entitled to make a phone call. If you do not know your attorney’s number, call a trusted friend or relative to coordinate with your attorney.
4. You have the right to refuse to sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
There will be some documents that will be presented to you for signing after you are apprehended and taken into custody.. Do not sign anything. If you sign without understanding the nature of the document, it is possible that you are signing a waiver of your rights to a lawyer or to a hearing. And if you waive these rights, it may result in your immediate removal without a hearing.
5. You have the right to refuse to show any documents before speaking with a lawyer.
When you are visited by an ICE agent, you do not have to give permission to search any of your belongings unless there is a warrant. You can ask to speak with a lawyer before you submit any documentation.
Each case of an unauthorized individual is distinct and all non-U.S. citizens must be vigilant about their rights. Considering the threat of a mass apprehension, it is worth exploring legal options with a trusted professional immigration attorney and from there decide on an appropriate course of action to obviate any fear of possible removal.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
