For those people in Chicago who are not native to the United States and still under immigrant status, the fear of deportation may be ever-present. Not only do they need to monitor their activities in regard to their immigration status, but they also have to keep in mind that other actions (such as alleged criminal activity) can potentially jeopardize their presence here.
Yet the threat of detention on immigration violations (and the potential for deportation) should only come into play if and when evidence supports taking action. Assumptions regarding pending criminal charges should not prompt immigration officials from initiating action against an immigrant.
Immigration violation charges against protestors dropped
The cases of two immigrants in Arizona illustrate the emotional and psychological toll that unwarranted immigration proceedings can exact. Per the Arizona Mirror, law enforcement officials arrested the two of them along with several others for allegedly rioting during a recent civil rights protest. Yet a local judge subsequently dismissed their cases after finding that probable cause for their arrest was not present. This did not stop immigration officials from detaining them following their arrest. Both immigrants are members of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, yet a felony arrest makes one ineligible for deportation defense under DACA. Officials subsequently ended the immigration cases against them, however, once news of the dismissal of their criminal cases surfaced.
Defending oneself from deportation proceedings
It may be easy for one to quickly panic at the prospect of facing deportation. Yet there are resources available to help challenge the basis of a deportation case. One simply needs to know what they are and how they apply to their case. Legal professionals familiar with federal immigration laws may be able to provide one with such assistance.
