Undocumented Central-American immigrants in the United States could soon face immediate deportation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning a series of raids that would target Central-American immigrants who have already been ordered to leave the U.S., according to the The Washington Post's anonymous sources. Many of these people and families came to the U.S. to escape ongoing violence in Central America.
In response to the impending raids, the Guatemalan government has released a document detailing the rights of Central-American immigrants, offering advice for anyone subject to a raid.
4 cosas que deben saber los migrantes en Estados Unidos vía @TransparenciaSV pic.twitter.com/TG7zLNbH23
Guatemala's office of the president has been tweeting advisories that tell Central-American immigrants not to open the door for any stranger or government official who does not have a warrant.
Compatriota migrante, agentes migración #EEUU deben mostrar orden firmada por juez para poder ingresar a su casa. pic.twitter.com/NVg9IKNsZB
The government also shared contact information for local embassies across the U.S.
Números telefónicos de consulados salvadoreños en Estados Unidos. #SolidaridadSV @presidencia_sv @cancilleriasv pic.twitter.com/yVlwnha3UF
According to the Post, the raids on Central-American immigrants are slated to occur in the new year, and could commence any time now.
On Monday, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement that the Obama administration will continue its raids targeting Central-American immigrants.
"As I have said repeatedly, our borders are not open to illegal migration; if you come here illegally, we will send you back consistent with our laws and values," he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said in a statement to NTRSCTN that the organization condemns Johnson's comments.
Cecillia Wang, director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project, said:
These raids are a scare tactic to deter other families fleeing violence in Central America from coming to the United States. Secretary Johnson has himself admitted the raids are designed to deport as many as possible, as quickly as possible. The administration is doubling down on a system that is rigged against these families. Many of these mothers and children had no lawyers because they could not afford them. Without counsel, traumatized refugees don't understand what is happening in court and cannot get their legitimate asylum claims heard.
