On any given day, visitors to Florida might encounter activists protesting one issue or another regarding immigration policies in the United States. In this state and across the country, U.S. immigration law is a controversial topic that often incites heated debate. A protest rally in another state recently caused many immigrant advocates concern when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested a mother and son.
The mother in question is age 41 and her son is 22. He is an immigrant rights activist who was, at the time, participating in a rally taking place in front of a federal building to protest certain issues. At some point, ICE swooped in and placed the man under arrest, later stating that he was convicted for DUI last year and, therefore, subject to deportation because the incident removed his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status.
The man had initially been brought to the United States by an adult when he was 6 years old. After his arrest, ICE officials also took his mother into custody, saying they had proof that she was an undocumented immigrant. Supporters of the mother and son said the two lead peaceful lives and are productive members of their own community.
A family member of the two immigrants now in ICE custody says U.S. immigration law is unfair and should stop targeting families and the Latino population. ICE denies such allegations, with a spokesperson saying the officers were merely doing their jobs to arrest people who had entered the United States without their paperwork in good order. Those suffering similar legal problems in Florida will want to discuss their situations with experienced immigration law attorneys, who can help them determine how best to defend themselves during removal proceedings.