With Miami expecting deportations, some tips on your rights if ICE knocks on the door
Miami is facing mass deportations as early as this Sunday, sources told the Miami Herald.
The deportation efforts, originally planned for late June, were delayed after media reports revealed the plans for mass deportations in major cities, including Miami.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement effort will focus on people “who have been issued final deportation orders by federal judges yet remain at large in the country,” a Trump administration official confirmed. Agents will also ask household members for their immigration documents when making arrests.
Here are some frequently asked questions about ICE detainment:
WHAT HAPPENS IF IMMIGRATION KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR
The Florida Immigrant Coalition released the following recommendations if an immigration agent knocks on your door.
▪ Don’t open the door.
▪ Ask to see the judicial warrant, which can be slid under your door. It must have your correct name and address and be signed by a judge. If the document does not have that information, say that you do not authorize their entrance and that you will call your attorney.
▪ Remain silent until you speak with your attorney.
▪ DO NOT provide any information on your background, place of birth or when/how you came to the United States.
▪ DO NOT sign any document that you don’t understand.
Experts recommend you do not lie about your place of birth, how you got into the country or about whether or not you’re a U.S. citizen.
WHAT IF I’M A NATURALIZED IMMIGRANT? A PERMANENT RESIDENT?
Naturalized immigrants or permanent residents can tell ICE their citizenship status, but if they cannot immediately provide documents to prove it, they may be detained. Experts recommend they keep relevant documents with them, such as a permanent residence card or green card. If you don’t have them, stay calm and silent.
HOW TO FIND SOMEONE DETAINED BY ICE
Immigrants held in an ICE detention facility may be located using the agency’s Online Detainee Locator System. Friends, relatives and attorneys can also telephone any Enforcement and Removal Operations field office.
The online searches can be done by A-number, the nine-digit number starting with the letter A assigned to each foreigner during any immigration procedure, or by biographical information, which requires the name and surname of the immigrant detained as well as the detainee’s country and date of birth.
From Little Havana to Little Haiti, migrants' fear of Trump's raids is felt in Miami
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"Right now there would be more than 20 people waiting here, but it's empty because everybody is scared," Ortega said. "Nobody wants to go out."
President Donald Trump's warning that a nationwide immigration enforcement operation is set to begin on Sunday has sparked fear in areas of Miami-Dade County, targeting thousands of migrants with final deportation orders.
"They are going to take people out and they are going to bring them back to their countries or they are going to take criminals out and put them in prisons," Trump told reporters on Friday.
The order will also apply to migrant families whose cases were fast-tracked by judges and Venezuelans who have found refuge in South Florida. In an attempt to protect asylum seekers, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday.
Immigration advocates are working to raise awareness about immigrants' rights and organized protests Friday. Hundreds of protesters met outside of a detention center in Miami-Dade County's city of Homestead.
Jorge Marrero said he just wants the nightmare to end. He owns a nail salon in Little Havana and his business is suffering.
"Some of my clients don't want to go out and about," Marrero said in Spanish.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez wants residents to remember that Miami Police Department officers will not be getting involved in the federal operation.
"We don't get involved in immigration enforcement," Suarez said.
Advocates are asking migrants to find out if they have an order of removal by calling an automated information line at 1-800-898-7180. If the case isn't in that database, they are directing migrants to immigration attorneys.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition is offering migrants help and guidance at 1-888-600-5762. They are advising migrants to avoid opening their doors to immigration agents and to keep and memorize an immigration attorney's phone number.
For more information from advocates, text the word "protection" to 313131.