Immigration attorney on deportations: 'Understand that this is a process'
As illegal immigrant deportations continue across the nation, a lawyer and advocate are going over important things to remember.
Since President Donald Trump took office for a second time on Jan. 20, thousands of people have been arrested by federal agents.
PHOENIX - As the crackdown on illegal immigration continues, a local immigration attorney wants to make sure Arizonans know what's going on.
What they're saying
The White House says the focus is not just on violent criminals, but all criminals, and that includes those who are here illegally.
The administration's actions are creating a lot of fear in the community, so we sat down with a local immigration attorney and advocate to get some answers.
"If it was easy to catch the bad, bad apples, the convicted felons, it was easy to do that, then this problem would be solved. But, it isn't," immigration attorney Nic Suriel said.
Since President Donald Trump took office, more than 7,000 criminal migrants have been arrested, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
On Monday, Jan. 27, the DEA Phoenix Division apprehended a man wanted for homicide in Mexico.
Dig deeper
"If you have a final order of removal, and there are 1.4 million people like that right now, it's time to go. OK, if you're done, if the judge has ordered you deported, and you've lost your appeal, then that's a reality you have to deal with," Suriel said.
Suriel has been an immigration attorney since 1992, and says it's important to know the next steps if you're arrested.
"Preparation. You have a plan. Identify somebody who can pay a bond for you. Have to be a U.S. resident or a U.S. citizen. If you have adult children, that's usually the best, you know, over 18, that's usually the best person to post a bond for you. Understand that this is a process. I mean, if the numbers go as high as I think they're going to go, you could be in detention for two, three months. Maybe longer," he said.
Mitzi Castro is the membership organizer for Puente Human Rights Movement, a migrant worker justice foundation.
"(You have) many rights, although they may make it seem as if we don't. That is not the case. You have the right to remain silent. Depending on the situation, the right to not have them enter your home, place of business or worship," Castro said.
The organization is hosting Migra Watch Training, and it says it will teach about reporting and responding to ICE activity in the community.
By the numbers
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been updating its social media accounts daily, and on Jan. 27, it said nearly 1,000 arrests were made nationwide.
What you can do
You can click here to learn more about the rights of immigrants.
You can click here to learn more about President Trump's deportation efforts.
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