Recent Update to ICE Protocols

Recent Update to ICE Protocols

Last month, a U.S. Court of Appeals lifted the injunction on an order from the Department of Homeland Security which allows ICE to deport certain undocumented immigrants without a hearing before an immigration judge.

What this means:

• If you are undocumented in the U.S. and have an encounter with ICE, you will need to show that you have been in the U.S. for at least the past two years (for example, an ID issued two or more years ago).
• If you have any encounter with ICE, contact our office right away.

This order does NOT apply to:

1. Undocumented, unaccompanied children
2. US citizens and permanent residents
3. Those in valid non-immigrant status (visitor, VAWA, U visa, H2A, etc.)
4. Those with a work permit
5. Those already in removal proceedings.

This is a new policy, and we have not yet heard any reports of it being implemented. However, people who have been in the U.S. for less than 2 years should be cautious and avoid any unnecessary interaction with law enforcement, except for their own safety.