President Trump has announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to conduct immigration raids on 2,000 people in ten to twelve major cities across the United States starting on Sunday, July 14.
Maine’s Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) Executive Director Susan Roche said, “We do NOT have any information about increased arrests occurring in Maine. However, please remember your rights when coming into contact with an ICE officer or Border Patrol agent.”
Trump has said the raids will target “illegal immigrants who have ignored deportation orders.” He says the raids are part of his administration’s efforts to dissuade immigrants from coming to the U.S.
According to the July 12 New York Times, two unnamed officials report that “Raids may begin in some cities on Sunday, but local ICE branches could start them either sooner or later over the next few days.”
Nancy Pelosi has denounced the plan for raids, and according to Politico has urged members of the Democratic caucus to disseminate information intended to help immigrants know their legal rights in case they are confronted by ICE agents.
- You have the right to remain silent and ask for an attorney
- You do not have to allow an officer into your home unless they have a warrant signed by a judge
- Never sign any documents unless you have spoken to an attorney
Julia Brown, of ILAP, urges asylum seekers to use caution when accepting legal advice. “People seeking asylum should only have an immigration attorney help with their asylum case.” If you need legal assistance, go here for more information: www.ilapmaine.org/get-legal-help.
For more information on your rights, go here: www.nilc.org/…/community-education-…/know-your-rights/raids/ and see ACLU’s videos here: www.aclu.org/…/…/ice-and-border-patrol-abuses/we-have-rights.
