An editorial called “New Jersey’s Immigration Crackdown” ran today in the New York Times.
The piece discusses how police in New Jersey have been instructed to inquire as to the immigration status of anyone arrested for an indictable crime or drunken driving, but not for minor offenses.
New Jersey local law enforcement is then supposed to report indictable immigrants who cannot provide lawful documentation to federal immigration authorities.
Some claim that certain police officers question immigrants who are not criminal suspects, including passengers in cars pulled over for minor traffic offenses.
Regardless of one’s opinion on whether this practice should be allowed, immigrants in the State of New Jersey are at greater risk of an encounter with Immigration than ever before.
At Frank & York, we have represented a record number of immigrants whose detention by Immigration has occurred as a result of a traffic stop by the police.
And it’s not just New Jersey.
The AP is reporting that nearly 300 people were arrested today in raids at chicken plants in five states.
Be aware of heightened efforts of law enforcement to apprehend immigrants.
We have consulted with thousands of immigrants who we cannot assist immediately, but we always advise them to keep our business card in their possession.
Now, more than ever, it is a very good idea to know a qualified immigration lawyer.
