In Teller County, Colorado, it is now legal for the police to jail immigrants. In February 2023, the American Civil Liberties Union sued local authorities for their cooperation with federal immigration authorities who were jailing people on behalf of ICE. The district court ruled in favor of law enforcement, allowing them to participate in the 287(g) program. At this time The American Civil Liberties Union has yet to file an appeal.
What To Do If You Are Detained By The Police
ICE cooperation efforts vary state by state, making it critical for immigrants to understand their rights under their specific local jurisdiction. After reading into your state’s legislation, you may want to consult an experienced immigration lawyer to discuss this further. An immigration lawyer will advise you on the right way to proceed in gaining immigration status, and will also be able to protect you should you ever face deportation by law enforcement.
If you are jailed in a jurisdiction that is cooperating with ICE you should:
- Remain calm and cooperate with the police.
- Ask to speak to an immigration lawyer.
- Contact your consulate or embassy.
Regardless of your status, you have the legal right to remain silent and the opportunity to speak with a legal representative before disclosing any information. Your deportation lawyer, consulate, or embassy will be able to provide advice on how to proceed in this process.
If you are illegally jailed in a jurisdiction that is not in the 287(g) program, you should proceed with the steps above. Note, this wrongful detainment is a violation of your legal rights and may be subject to additional legal actions. Again, an immigration law firm specializing in deportation defense will be able to fight on your behalf to prove that law enforcement violated your rights.
Deportation Defense By The Best Immigration Lawyers
With these new legislations appearing across jurisdictions, it is of the utmost importance to remain informed of the law and your respective rights. If you or a loved one are facing removal, you should contact a deportation lawyer immediately to hear your legal options.
Reeves Immigration Law Group regularly defends individuals facing removal, finding alternative immigration paths. We believe that no family should be separated and will do everything in our power to protect you. Now more than ever, it is important to discuss legal immigration paths to protect yourself from possible removal.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced deportation lawyer.
