Immigrant communities face fear and anxiety as large-scale immigration enforcement actions are underway.
DALLAS — As large-scale immigration enforcement actions continue to unfold across the country, immigrant communities and their advocates are grappling with fear and uncertainty. Dallas immigration attorney Michelle Saenz-Rodriguez shared insights into the current situation, describing an environment of chaos and anxiety among her clients.
Saenz-Rodriguez, who represents both employers and immigrant families, reported a surge in calls from businesses in construction, hospitality, and landscaping, as well as individuals facing deportation proceedings. “People are definitely scared,” she said.
The heightened enforcement efforts, which were initially announced as targeting individuals with criminal records and outstanding deportation orders, have resulted in the detention of hundreds, raising concerns that many law-abiding individuals are being swept up in the operations. “What we’re seeing is big numbers of people being detained, so when you see big actions like that, it calls into question whether the priority is truly on criminal aliens,” Rodriguez explained.
Knowing Your Rights
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of preparation and awareness for individuals who may be at risk. She outlined key legal rights that all individuals, regardless of immigration status, should be aware of.
- Right to Remain Silent
- Type of Warrant Matters – A judicial warrant, signed by a judge, is required for ICE agents to enter a home or private workplace. Administrative warrants, issued by immigration officials, do not grant entry.
- Avoid Resistance
- Carry Identification – Legal residents should carry proof of status, such as a green card or passport, to avoid unnecessary detention.
- Employer and Workplace Rights – Employers and employees should distinguish between public and private spaces and have legal counsel on standby in case of an ICE visit.
Impact on Businesses and Families
The effects of these enforcement actions extend beyond those directly impacted. Many immigrant workers have stopped showing up to jobs out of fear of being detained. “We’re already seeing it. My employers are reporting that people aren’t coming to work or scared to come to work. I think we’re going to see it in high prices, the cost of goods and services, and certainly in construction prices,” Rodriguez noted.
Parents are also keeping their children home from school, worried about new policies that remove previous protections on sensitive locations. Schools, once considered safe spaces under prior administrations, are now potential targets for enforcement actions. “People are afraid to send their kids to school. People are afraid to go to church. People are afraid to go to hospitals to get the healthcare that they need for fear that these locations might be somewhere that ICE might show up,” Rodriguez said.
With enforcement policies in flux, uncertainty is felt among immigrant communities. Saenz-Rodriguez emphasizes, “Right now the biggest thing that we’re telling our clients is that you need to have a plan because this could be a real possibility.” She wants people to be aware of the worst-case scenario and prepare for it.
“We still live in a land of laws,” she affirmed.
