Do You Need a New York Deportation Defense Lawyer?

Many undocumented immigrants in New York live in fear that they will be placed in removal proceedings. While this remains to be a danger, recent data shows that the number of removals under the Biden administration has sharply decreased. However, while fewer removals are occurring, a change in administrations could result in increased enforcement and an increase in deportations.

Undocumented immigrants people with other immigration issues may want to speak to an experienced New York immigration attorney at Pozo Goldstein for help.

Decrease In The Number Of Removals

Records from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement show that deportations from the U.S. have decreased significantly since President Joseph Biden took office. Under the Biden administration, removals have dropped by 80% since 2020 and 90% since 2019.

This includes a decrease in the number of immigrants removed based on having serious criminal convictions of more than 50% since 2020 and 65% since 2019.

On Jan. 20, 2021, one of the first things President Biden did when he entered office was to issue an executive order halting nearly all deportations for the first 100 days. His order also placed restrictions on enforcement actions by ICE. However, a judge in Texas issued an order two weeks later that ended the Biden administration’s freeze on deportations. However, several of the other restrictions President Biden placed on enforcement actions have remained. ICE is now concentrating on removing people with aggravated felonies, those who are suspected of terrorism, and recent arrivals. This has resulted in a substantial decrease in removals since President Biden took office in early 2021.

As a result, ICE is expected to remove an estimated 62,000 people during the 2021 fiscal year. By contrast, 186,000 people were removed in 2020 during the pandemic. In 2019, more than 267,000 people were removed. The drops in removals include both people expelled at the border and those who are removed from interior areas of the U.S., including in New York.

The Biden Administration’s Approach

Under President Biden, the focus on immigration enforcement has changed substantially as compared to the approach taken under the former administration. Under the Trump administration, immigration authorities took highly aggressive enforcement actions and removed many people who had not been convicted of serious crimes. Currently, the immigration authorities under the Biden administration are instead concentrating on removing people who are viewed as threats to the public. The Biden administration is concentrating on removing people that are viewed as posing threats to public safety, border security, and national security.

During the first five months of Biden’s administration, a much higher percentage of people who were deported had been convicted of serious criminal offenses. By contrast, the Trump administration enforced the immigration laws broadly, deporting many people who had not been convicted of serious crimes and who were simply present in the U.S. unlawfully.

Threat Of Deportation Is Not Over

Despite the statistics demonstrating that the percentage of removals has sharply dropped under the Biden administration, people who are undocumented, who have overstayed their visas, or who have violated the terms of their statuses are still in danger of being placed in removal proceedings. Unless significant immigration reform is passed by Congress, people who are undocumented face a risk that they will be deported from the U.S.

A change in administrations could also return the U.S. to increased enforcement and more deportations. This makes it important for undocumented people and those who need to adjust their statuses to get help from an experienced New York immigration attorney at Pozo Goldstein.

Talk To The Experienced New York Deportation Defense Attorneys At Pozo Goldstein

If you are facing removal proceedings or want to secure an adjustment of status to prevent potential immigration problems, you should speak with the attorneys at Pozo Goldstein. Our experienced legal team includes two former immigration prosecutors and a former immigration judge. A New York deportation defense lawyer at our firm can review your situation and help you understand your options. If you need help with immigration services, call us today to schedule a consultation at (212) 201-9031.