"For Joseph and thousands of immigrants in New York and nationwide, ICE check-ins used to be routine affairs: short appointments meant to confirm their address and contact information. That was the case even for immigrants facing deportation; most just weren't considered a priority for removal. That has changed under President Donald Trump. Immigrants are being detained more often during check-ins, sometimes without warning, according to immigrant advocates and attorneys."
"Immigrants and their advocates decry the practice of detaining people at the mandatory appointments, saying it penalizes immigrants who are complying with federal rules. Those who skip their appointment can be ordered deported or sought after and arrested by ICE. "It really is a travesty. You tell people to follow the process, and following the process is going to ensure that when your time comes, you have the opportunity to move forward," said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the nonprofit"
Joseph, a 52-year-old Venezuelan immigrant without permanent status, prepared for an ICE annual check-in with fear, writing phone numbers and sleeping only four hours before the appointment. ICE check-ins historically confirmed addresses and contact information and were routine even for immigrants facing deportation. Under the Trump administration, ICE increasingly detains immigrants during mandatory check-ins, sometimes without warning. Immigrants who comply with reporting rules risk arrest during appointments, while those who miss appointments face deportation orders or active pursuit by ICE. Advocates condemn detaining people at check-ins as penalizing compliance and undermining trust in the process.
Read at Gothamist
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