Navigating immigration anxieties
Immigration attorney Alexis Ruiz and individuals from organizations and businesses such as Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, Massey Law, and Libertad Immigration Services held a workshop on Dec. 14 at the Pinewoods Library & Learning Center to provide fundamental information to the community to understand recent and potential updates to immigration laws. Markus Boenig, Jose Pantoja and Crismar Bueno also provided individuals with strategies to adapt to upcoming changes..
Within Trump’s first 100 days, significant changes are expected. One of Trump’s top agenda items is implementing major changes in immigration policies. While some of his campaign proposals will require congressional approval, policies like DACA are already being discussed.
Ruiz began speaking about the DACA (Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals) program currently being litigated in the Fifth Circuit, which could lead to its potential termination. However, Ruiz explained that DACA applicants can continue to operate without major issues but it is still important to renew DACA applications. She emphasized the importance of staying informed and prepared for potential changes in immigration policies under the Trump administration. As of July 16, 2021, a federal court in taxes ruled that DACA was unlawful and blocked new applicants, meaning new applicants are not being accepted.
“I know students who have DACA and they don’t have permanent status, but they have DACA and can’t vote but they go to the offices of their congressman and have a good relationship with them. The congressman understands the situations of the people with DACA because they have made the congressman recognize their situations,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz also discussed the lengthy process of obtaining undocumented visas and the restrictions on who can sponsor them. She clarified that a U.S. citizen can only sponsor their parents and spouses for residency but not other relatives like uncles or aunts. In addition, there will most likely be challenges for individuals who entered the U.S. without legal status and the potential need for pardons. She also mentioned the U Visa for victims of crimes, which allows non-citizen victims of certain crimes to live and work in the United States.
“The answer is yes, it is possible for individuals to receive American papers, but if they can give residence or not, it depends on how they entered the country,” Ruiz said.
Trump implemented a family separation policy in 2018 as a part of a “zero tolerance” strategy to stop illegal immigration. Under this policy, adults who crossed the border illegally were prosecuted and placed in detention centers or with foster families. Trump signed an executive order to stop family separation in June 2018 but thousands of families had already been affected and the process of uniting these families was complex.
Athens artivist Beto Cacao explained the importance of having a family plan if something was to occur and having all necessary documents such as a passport so the children are able to visit those family members without having to struggle to get the needed documents to travel. Ruiz added that if the parents have children who are U.S. citizens, they are likely eligible for bond or cancellation of deportation.
“We don’t have to be scared, we have people who are on our side, who are going to help guide us (and) who are going to defend us. Chances are really good that there isn’t going to be separation,” Ruiz said.
Cacao discussed the importance of knowing your rights and how to respond when stopped by a police officer. He emphasized the need to be honest about one’s legal status and if asked for identification, one should always respond truthfully. Ruiz mentioned the right to remain silent and the right to consult an attorney during a police stop.
“You can say that at the beginning, you must respond when they ask for identification, you have to respond,” Boenig said. “Most of the attorneys, if you call them at that point, they are not going to respond.”
Ruiz and Cacao stressed the need for clear and honest communication within the community to provide accurate information. Cacao also encouraged everyone to share their experiences and information to strengthen the community’s knowledge and support.
“I believe that parents should speak to their kids and have them understand that if this was to happen, you’re going to stay with this family member, or you’re going to, and have a plan of action,” Pantoja said. “I think going out and protesting gives you the right to execute your civil rights. You have the right to raise your voice. You have the right to freedom of speech.”
