We have received reports that Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian community members were detained during their routine check-ins with ICE. Individuals who are affected include those who arrived in the U.S. before 1995 as refugees, were previously ordered removed from the U.S., and are required to check-in with ICE periodically under an order of supervision.
This trend is contrary to long-established practices in which these community members would not be detained or deported, partly due to agreements between the U.S. and the governments of Vietnam and Cambodia. Under those agreements, these countries have significantly limited who they will accept for deportation, allowing many community members to remain in the U.S., stay with their families, and build their lives over the past several decades.
If you have an upcoming check-in with ICE, or if someone you know has already been detained, please call us for a legal consultation.
Preparing for an Upcoming Check-in with ICE
If you anticipate having any interaction with ICE, here are some steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself and your loved ones:
Know Your Rights
- You have the right to remain silent and request an attorney.
- You should not sign anything without legal advice.
Prepare Important Documents
- Gather your legal documents, identification, and any paperwork related to your immigration and criminal cases. Keep them in a safe and accessible place.
- Give a trusted person access to these documents so they may consult an attorney on your behalf if necessary.
Consult an Immigration Attorney
- Speak with a lawyer about your case and legal options.
- Ask about any steps you can take to prevent detention or removal. You may be eligible for post-conviction relief or other immigration relief.
Stay Connected with Support Networks
- Reach out to local advocacy groups that support immigrant communities.
- Stay informed about any changes in policies that may affect your case. Because this situation is evolving, ICE’s policies may shift again.
Make a Safety Plan with Loved Ones
- Share important contact information with family, friends, or community members.
- Designate someone to reach out to an attorney or an advocacy group if you are detained.
To help protect our community members, we urge you to please share this information widely. You will also find this information posted on our website at ajsocal.org/immigration and on all our social media channels.
