With a backlog of almost 100,000 cases, New York City’s immigration City is overloaded and unable to keep up with the number of immigrants processed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the past year. This has led to extended stays in ICE detention centers for many immigrants who are waiting for a decision or a day in court for their cases. This has led to extreme hardship for many families and individuals, some of whom came to the U.S. seeking asylum from untenable conditions in their native countries.

Over a Year in Custody

In one notable case, a woman who came to the U.S. to escape torture and rape at the hands of her uncle in Jamaica has been held in detention since May 2017. The woman came to the U.S. in 2011 after being deported twice previously. She has a husband and children in the U.S. and came back to seek protection against her uncle, who still resides in Jamaica and poses a credible threat to her safety if she returns to the country. A June 2018 ruling by Judge Lauren Farber found that the woman’s testimony was credible. Federal officials appealed this ruling, however, which resulted in the woman’s continued detention in an ICE facility in Hudson County, New York.

Seeking Legal Help in the Current Political Environment

For immigrants worried about actions by ICE and other federal agencies, retaining the services of a qualified and knowledgeable New York immigration lawyer can provide added peace of mind and improved outcomes for cases that may involve green card applications, deportation proceedings and other issues involving legal status and the right to remain in the U.S. By entrusting your case to a New York immigration lawyer with proven experience in this field of law, you and your family can protect your legal rights even in today’s tough political climate.

If you need the assistance of a New York immigration lawyer, Pozo Goldstein offers the most comprehensive and practical solutions for all your needs. We handle visa cases, deportation and detention proceedings, citizenship applications and many other aspects of immigration law. Our team consists of dedicated legal professionals and includes two former prosecutors for immigration cases and a former judge, which provides us with valuable perspective on all sides of the immigration process. Call us today at 212-201-9031 to schedule a consultation with us. We look forward to the chance to serve you.