In July, the Trump Administration and Immigration and Customs enforcement announced a plan to expand fast-track deportations to anyone suspected of being illegally in the U.S. for less than two years. The fast-track deportation process would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport individuals without a hearing in immigration court, if the person was suspected of being in the U.S. for less than two years. Prior to this new regulation, only individuals who had recently crossed the border and those caught within 100 miles of the U.S. border were subject to fast-track deportation. These policies fell under heavy criticism because they denied individuals due process, made it easier for border guards to deny petitions for asylum, and because they empowered Immigration and Enforcement officers to take action across the country. Whether a person could stay or would be asked to leave could be left up to the discretion of an Immigration and Customs officer. Furthermore, the evaluation of a person’s documentation and proof of residency and citizenship would be in the hands of a border enforcement guard in the field, with little to no oversight like that provided by a judge in a court of law.

However, a recent ruling by a federal court judge found these policies in violation of federal law and in violation of procedures required for changes to federal law. The ruling ensures that individuals who have resided in the U.S. can have their day in court prior to facing deportation. A court case is an important chance for a person facing deportation to stop the removal process using various deportation defenses. Valid defenses that could be presented before a judge include marriage to a U.S. citizen, asylum, or seeking cancellation of removal through other means. If you are facing deportation in San Antonio, Texas, J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio who may be able to assist you with your deportation defense. Now, more than ever, it is important to take proactive action should you be facing deportation or have a hearing date set. J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation and removal lawyer who may be able to help you if you are facing deportation.

Issues with Fast-Track Deportation

Several issues have been raised by the Trump Administration’s fast-track deportation policy. The policy would allow Immigration and Customs enforcement officers the ability to deport individuals who have been in the country less than two years. The problem with the process is that it isn’t entirely clear how immigration officers will determine whether a person has been in the country for less than two years. Already there have been cases where even U.S. citizens were detained illegally.

Another problem with the process is that it places the burden on the individual facing deportation to provide their paperwork. Not all immigrants carry such proof with them and some individuals might have complex situations, that might not involve straightforward documentation. By leaving the discretion to just one immigration officer or several in the field, many critics of the fast-track deportation policy claimed that it denied immigrants due process.

The ACLU notes that the immigration system frequently denies immigrants their right to due process and frequently detains immigrants without a bond hearing. The ACLU has been fighting for reform that would ensure that every immigrant facing deportation gets his or her fair day in court and also is fighting for greater discretion among judges when it comes to deciding who and who will not be deported. The hard work of these groups is evident in recent rulings that will put a stop to nationwide fast-track deportations.

If you or someone you love is facing deportation or removal in San Antonio, Texas, J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation and removal lawyer who may be able to assist you. Given recent changes to the law, fast-track deportations are now only permitted in certain cases: where a person has only been in the country for a couple of weeks and where a person was apprehended within 100 miles of the border. If you have been in the country longer, you have a right to your day in court. Whether you are facing a fast-track deportation or a court hearing date has been set, it can be helpful to have an attorney on your side helping you navigate the system and fighting for your rights.

Protecting Immigrant Rights

 Joseph Cohen is committed to protecting immigrant rights and is here to defend the rights of immigrants who are facing removal and deportation. During your court case, you’ll have the opportunity to present evidence to delay your removal or prevent your removal. Our deportation and removal lawyer in San Antonio, Texas can review your circumstances, help you understand your options, and assist you with taking the next steps. Contact J. Joseph Cohen today or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get connected with our deportation and removal law firm.

While there have been many recent reports of people being detained at the border who are trying to enter the U.S., there have also been many reports of immigrants being put into detention. While these immigrants await their immigration hearing, they are incarcerated. Not all immigrants awaiting their hearing are incarcerated or detained. What are your rights if you have been put into detention? What are your options if you are being told that you might face deportation? If you have been detained, or are put in detention, or if someone you love has been put in detention, this general information cannot replace the advice of a deportation lawyer, like J. Joseph Cohen in San Antonio, Texas. Individuals who have been detained always have the right to ask to call their attorney.

That said, what are some things to keep in mind if you or someone you love has been detained? You always have the right to remain silent and always have the right to ask to speak to a lawyer. What other options do you have?

• If you have been detained, you have the right to ask to speak to a lawyer and your lawyer can come to see you in detention. You may have the ability to petition for your release if you are being held in detention. This can be done through a bond hearing. A deportation lawyer may be able to assist you with this.
• If you have been detained, according to ACLU, you have the right to request a bond hearing. During your hearing, you may be able to petition the judge for your release or ask that your bond amount be lowered, if the bond that has been set is too expensive for you or your family. A deportation lawyer like J. Joseph Cohen in San Antonio, Texas can appear with you at your bond hearing to assist you with this process.

These are just a couple of things to keep in mind if you or someone you love has been detained. If you have questions about your rights or want to assist someone you love who has been detained, J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation law firm that may be able to assist you in San Antonio, Texas. Contact us today to learn more.

Protections for Detained Immigrants Weakened

The ACLU and Rolling Stone recently reported that ICE has lowered its standards regarding protections for detained immigrants. Recent reports indicate that detention facilities aren’t required to have a doctor on staff to assist detainees who may be suffering from mental health issues and from physical ailments. Restrictions on the ways that officers can use force and restraint on detainees have been changed. Under the changes, there are now more situations where a detainee can be placed under solitary confinement, and restrictions about the ways that detainees can be restrained has been relaxed. For example, restrictions that prevented officers from hog tying, using fetal restraints, or tight restraints, have been lifted. Finally, new changes don’t require that detainees have access to the outdoors, meaning that detainees can be kept inside without access to the outside world for months or even years, while they await trial.

All of this is alarming, especially if you have someone you love who has been put in detention. However, it is important to note that detainees have the right to access phones to call their lawyers. If you or someone you love has been detained, it is important to understand that detained individuals have rights. Detained individuals have the right to call their immigration attorney. And they have the right to have their immigration attorney come visit them. Are you concerned about the safety and well-being of someone you love who has been put in detention or who is facing deportation? J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation law firm in San Antonio, Texas that offers legal counsel to individuals facing deportation and detention.

Seek Justice Today

Immigrants have the right to dignified and fair treatment. Unfortunately, there have been some alarming details about the ways some immigrants have been treated in detention. Immigrants have rights and when those rights are violated, immigrants have a right to fight for a fair hearing, bond hearing, and day in court. If you or someone you love has been detained or is facing deportation, you may have a range of options under the law. J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas that may be able to help you review your options. In some cases, individuals can be released from detention after a bond hearing. Have questions? Reach out to J. Joseph Cohen, an immigration and deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas today. Or, connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with J. Joseph Cohen.

A recent article by the New York Times suggests that immigration officers might be using Facebook, Instagram, and other social media services to watch undocumented immigrants, to watch immigrants in general, and as methods to catch and deport individuals. Alarmingly, these services might be used by immigration officers not just to track immigrants or people targeted for deportation, but also their American friends, family, and loved ones. If individuals are concerned about deportation or about surveillance by ICE and immigration officers, they should be very careful about what they say or post on social media. What they say and do can be used to track them and in some cases, what they say and post on social media can even be used as a tool to catch them. Alarmingly, anything posted on social media can remain there forever on the public record, available for immigration officers who might be trying to locate a target, or a build a case for deportation.

Because immigration officers cannot enter a home without a warrant, officers are using data, the internet, and social media to gain access where they otherwise would not have been able to do so. The New York Times reports that there are as many as 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., while there are only about 6,100 immigration officers. With these limited numbers, ICE may be using big data to track potential targets. In some cases, officers have been able to use their tools to identify exactly where a person lived or resided and track their comings and goings so they could make an arrest.

Unfortunately, because of new tactics that ICE officers are using, the people who are most detectable by ICE officers, might ironically be the ones who are most likely trying to lead ordinary lives, who are not committing crimes. In fact, the Times reports that people who are being targeted are more likely to have driver’s licenses, more likely to pay their taxes, and more likely to have American-born children because these individuals might be the most traceable for officers.

When people are brought into detention, any phone calls they make and any connection they might make to the outside world might also be closely monitored. Anything a person says to immigration enforcement officers could also be used to gather additional data regarding others who might be targets. Based on recent reports, it appears that immigration officers now have more online tools than ever to target immigrants.

Was someone you love put into detention? Are you concerned that you might be under surveillance for deportation? Have questions about your rights? J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas that works with individuals who may be facing deportation and who may be concerned that they might be under surveillance.

Deportation and Social Media

Reports indicate that deportation officers have more tools than ever at their disposal. They can use a person’s public-facing social media accounts, posts, relationship statuses, and photos to track down an individual of interest. Officers may use social media in conjunction with other digital spying tools that allow them to locate addresses and individuals. What does this all mean for you if you are concerned for yourself or for a loved one? First of all, be aware that anything you post or say on social media could potentially be used in a deportation case or could potentially be used to locate you if you are undocumented. Reports indicate that not only might individuals applying to immigrate to the U.S. be monitored, but their friends and family might also be monitored as well. These reports indicate alarming things about American privacy, the risks of social media use, and other issues.

Individuals who are concerned that they might be under surveillance for deportation might be wise to limit their social media use to avoid tracking by ICE and other agencies. They might also want to make family, friends, and loved ones aware that they could also be subject to surveillance if a friend, loved one, or family member is a target. Secondly, other public data or records could also be used to track you. This includes vehicle registrations and tax documents. So, what can you do? J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas that can review your situation. Our attorney can either work to help you obtain legal status, either through adjustment of status, through seeking asylum, or through other means. Our lawyer can also help you understand your rights if you are facing deportation. Individuals may have the right to their day in court if they are facing deportation. J. Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas that may be able to help you. Contact him today or connect with USAttorneys.com to get matched with our attorney today to learn more.