Many Florida immigrants are married to U.S. citizens. Those who are currently worried about legal issues that have surfaced after seeking adjustment of status may want to follow a case in another state involving several members of the same family. A young woman, her parents and a cousin were all recently taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
The woman is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protection. She was brought to the United States when her parents fled Colombia after her mother, who was a school principal there, suffered threats on her life. The young woman, who is now the mother of a 5-year-old child, was in the process of applying for citizenship.
Her husband is a U.S. citizen who is currently deployed as a member of the U.S. military. She was driving her daughter to school when ICE officials stopped her. The woman later stated that she was immediately afraid because the officials would not show her proper identification when they took her into custody. Her parents and cousin were soon-after arrested at their home, as well. The woman was later released when ICE officials said they would acknowledge her DACA status and defer deportation; however, her family members are still in custody and at risk for removal.
An attorney who is acting on the woman’s behalf said he is shocked that, after taking the proper steps to seek an adjustment of status, the woman was arrested. He also said he has great concerns regarding how the events unfolded and plans to fight to help this family — who have lived and worked in the United States for years — avoid being separated from each other. Any Florida resident currently facing similar legal status problems may want to seek similar support from an experienced immigration law attorney.