For Immediate Release // Please Excuse Cross Posting
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Contact: Palmira Figueroa, 425-301-2764; pfigueroa@ndlon.org
NDLON DENOUNCES TRUMP CRUEL ADMINISTRATION’S NEW TACTIC FOR FAST-TRACK DEPORTATION
LOS ANGELES, May 21 – The sudden presence of ICE agents hanging around immigration courthouses is an alarming escalation of the Trump regime’s attempts to fast-track mass deportations of immigrants, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) warned today.
Immigration lawyers and immigrant advocates in Phoenix and Seattle have reported seeing government lawyers suddenly dropping cases involving immigrants seeking asylum. They say this tactic allows ICE to speed-deport somebody under the agency’s “expedited removal” policy. Immigrants in expedited removal can be deported without a hearing before a judge.
The following is a statement from Salvador Reza, the human-rights advocate and organizer in Phoenix:
“What ICE and the Trump regime are doing is deplorable and part of a fear campaign against our community. We denounce their actions. We call on the community to talk to an attorney before going to their court date, and for attorneys to use creative ways to protect their clients in court.”
Lawyers and advocates are urging people with cases in immigration court to be prepared and know what to do. With thanks to Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle, here are things immigrants should know:
- Talk to a lawyer.
- Show up in court and attend all scheduled hearings. If you fail to appear, you might face a deportation order.
- You have a right to oppose the dismissal of your immigration case.You can ask the judge for more time to explain why you want to continue your immigration case.
- If your case is dismissed, you have a right to appeal.
- If you fear that deportation will put you at risk of persecution or torture, tell the judge in your hearing, before your case is dismissed, or tell ICE, if you have been detained. You have the right to apply for protection in the U.S.
To our community we say: talk to a lawyer to assert your rights if you need to go to immigration court – do not go alone, get a permanent resident or citizen to accompany you, and reach out to your local immigrant defense organizations or accompaniment programs.
