Joshua Gaines says your best ally is silence.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. โ Immigration attorneys say they are seeing a surge in cases as federal authorities increasingly rely on ankle monitors to track undocumented immigrants. While these devices aid enforcement efforts, the policy has left many families uncertain and fearful of separation.
Immigration lawyer Joshua McCall says his workload has skyrocketed as he helps families navigate these challenging times.ย
โI stopped working last night at 9 p.m. I started working this morning at 4:55 a.m.,โ McCall said, describing his demanding schedule due to the influx of cases.
McCall explained that many immigrants inadvertently complicate their legal situations by answering seemingly harmless questions from immigration officials.ย
โThe vast majority of immigrants sign their own deportation orders by speaking to immigration authorities and answering this simple and innocent-sounding question: โWhere were you born?โโ
He emphasized that immigrants need to understand their rights, particularly regarding when authorities are allowed to arrest them. For some, the risk is higher.ย
โIf youโve been here fewer than two years and youโre not either admitted or paroled in the country and you have no lawful status, the immigration officials have the right to arrest you if they have probable cause,โ McCall said.
There are some exceptions, but McCall warned that it is not guaranteed.ย
โIf youโre here on TPS, temporary protected status, you are technically a non-immigrant,โ he said, adding that TPS can be revoked at any time.
Families are particularly worried about the possibility of separation. McCall highlighted that while immigration officials need permission and a special warrant to enter private homes, there are different rules for different places.ย
“They also have the authority to go into public places, like schools, as long as the administrators give them permission, and if they have a warrant to arrest a child, they can do that,” McCall said.ย
To prepare for emergencies, McCall advised families to save money for potential legal fees, living expenses if a primary provider is detained, or even travel costs in the event of deportation.
At Plaza Fiesta on Buford Highway, a bustling community hub in Chamblee, the unease is palpable. Normally lively, the area appeared a bit more calm, reflecting the growing anxiety among immigrant families as enforcement measures escalate.
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