Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is terminating immigration court cases to place certain migrants on the fast-track for removal. While the government has always had the right to remove migrants detained within one hundred miles of the border without trial, this new operation goes far beyond these parameters. The most notable change being the explicit requests to drop immigration cases for the purpose of removal.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement explaining the operation targets migrants that were initially released with notices to appear in court when they should’ve been removed. The operation involves ICE prosecutors requesting immigration judges to terminate court cases of certain migrants. ICE then detains these migrants, placing them on a streamlined removal process known as expedited removal.
The government can also place undocumented migrants that arrived in the U.S. via legal entry points under expedited removal. Documented migrants that can’t prove they’ve been in the U.S. for than two years can be removed without trial too. It’s estimated the operation targets nearly one million migrants that entered the country during the last few years.
Some migrants are considering not attending court hearings, a move many legal experts have warned against. While there may be a risk of being detained at an immigration hearing, not showing up could provide grounds for a removal order. Making a proactive effort with the right legal counsel beforehand is the best way to minimize chances of detention or removal.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.