During a recent interview on “60 Minutes”, President-Elect Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to commence with the deportation of millions of undocumented “criminal” aliens from the United States. Specifically, Mr. Trump stated: “Lo que vamos a hacer es sacar a las personas que son criminales y tienen antecedentes penales, miembros de pandillas, traficantes de drogas, donde muchas de estas personas, probablemente 2 millones, podrían ser incluso 3 millones, las vamos a sacar de nuestro país o las vamos a encarcelar”.
Due to statements like these and many other anti-immigrant statements made during his run for president, it is possible that some ICE and other law enforcement officers may think they can get away with violating your rights. You need to know that regardless of your status in the United States, you have rights, including the rights to:
- Permanecer en silencio: no tiene que responder ninguna pregunta ni decir al agente nada sobre usted o su familia.
- Speak to a lawyer – you do not have to speak to anyone or sign any document you do not understand without speaking to a lawyer first
- Not answer your door or allow officers in your home – To be allowed to enter your home, officers must have a warrant signed by a judge, not just a deportation order. Do not open your door unless an officer shows you a signed warrant. If the officer wants to show you a warrant, they can hold it against a window or slide it under the door. The warrant must have your correct name and address on it to be valid.
Cuáles son sus derechos en su casa
Sometimes officers can try to trick people to get them to open their doors or sign away their rights. If an officer detains you or you are concerned that they will conduct raids in your area, this is what you can do:
- No abra la puerta.
- You do not need to open the door to talk with an officer. Once you open the door, it is much harder to refuse to answer questions.
- Tiene derecho a hablar con un abogado.
- You can simply say, “I need to speak to my lawyer.”
- You may have your lawyer with you if ICE or other law enforcement questions you.
- Before you sign anything, talk to a lawyer.
- ICE may try to get you to sign away your right to see a lawyer or a judge. Be sure you understand what a document actually says before you sign it.
Always carry with you any valid immigration document you have.
Por ejemplo, si tiene un permiso de trabajo válido o una Green Card, asegúrese de llevarla consigo en caso de que necesite mostrarla para fines de identificación.
Do not carry papers from another country with you, such as a foreign passport. Such papers could be used against you in the deportation process.
If you are worried ICE will arrest you, let the officer know if you have children.
If you are the parent or primary caregiver of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is under age 18, ICE may “exercise discretion” and let you go.
- Create a safety plan.
- Memorize the phone number of a friend, family member, or attorney that you can call if you are arrested.
- If you take care of children or other people, plan to have them taken care of if you are detained.
- Keep important documents such as birth certificates and immigration documents in a safe place where a friend or family member can access them if necessary.
- Asegúrese de que sus seres queridos sepan cómo encontrarle si es detenido por ICE. Pueden utilizar el localizador de detenidos en línea de ICE (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/homePage.do) para encontrar a un adulto que se encuentre bajo custodia de inmigración. O pueden llamar a la oficina local de ICE (https://www.ice.gov/contact/ero). Asegúrese de que tengan anotado su número de registro de extranjero, si tiene uno.
AVERIGÜE CUÁL ES SU SITUACIÓN Es posible que ya reúna los requisitos para obtener un beneficio que aún no conoce. Si nunca ha hablado con un abogado de inmigración sobre su situación, ahora es el mejor momento para hacerlo, antes de que la nueva administración empiece a realizar cambios que puedan afectarle a usted y a su familia. Póngase en contacto con un abogado colegiado con experiencia para averiguar qué puede hacer USTED para mejorar su situación.
Si desea nuestra ayuda, póngase en contacto con nuestra oficina hoy en (210) 899-2290 para concertar una consulta.
