For approximately 500,000 people in New York City, even the simplest everyday activities present serious risks to their ability to remain in their adopted country. Undocumented immigrants are under siege even in sanctuary cities, and New York is no exception to this rule. The reign of terror instituted by the Trump administration against immigrants has led many to live in fear and to hide in the shadows to avoid prosecution and possible deportation.

No Safe Haven

From January to August 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 2,000 people in the New York area. This represents a jump of 67 percent over the same period in 2016 and a nearly fourfold increase in arrests compared with 2010. ICE agents have made appearances in churches, courtrooms, police stations and neighborhoods, prompting some people to take steps to avoid interaction with government officials altogether.

Living in Limbo

Many New York Immigrants have responded to the harsh rhetoric and aggressive actions of ICE and the Border Patrol under the Trump administration by fading back into the shadows and limiting their presence in public places where they might encounter ICE officials. This may involve keeping their children out of school, avoiding public gatherings and even failing to report crimes against themselves or their families.

Expert Legal Help for New York Immigrants

In many cases, seeking the assistance of a New York immigration lawyer can provide added help and increased confidence on the part of undocumented immigrants in the New York City area. Your New York immigration lawyer can take steps to clarify your status with ICE and other federal agencies and can work to help you achieve the right to live and work in the U.S. legally. This can provide added help for families worried about the possibility of deportation for themselves and the ones they love.

The friendly and knowledgeable New York immigration lawyers at Pozo Goldstein can help you manage issues with ICE and other federal agencies. With two former immigration prosecuting attorneys and a former judge on the Pozo Goldstein team, we can provide you with expert representation both in and out of the courtroom setting. Give us a call today at 212-201-9031 to schedule a consultation in our office with one of our skilled and experienced attorneys. We look forward to the opportunity to help you and your family achieve an American dream of your own.