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The immigration attorney Harriet Steele, born in Los Angeles, California, received an alarming email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) giving her seven days to leave the United States.
The notification arrived two weeks ago, and the most curious thing is that the lawyer is a U.S. citizen. The message stated that her "permit to stay in the country" had expired.
Initially, Steele thought the notification was related to a client's case, but he ruled out that possibility after verifying that none of his clients were in the country under the humanitarian parole program.
The email had a threatening tone and warned that she would be deported if she did not comply with the order to leave the country.
The case of Steele is not isolated. Univisión Miami cited a document from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that warns its members about the sending of such emails from DHS itself.
A federal agency official admitted that it could be a system error, indicating that some email addresses of lawyers may have been used in immigration procedures. However, subject matter experts are warning about a possible intimidation strategy.
The immigration lawyer Víctor Nieblas warned that, in the current political climate, mistakes that would have once been interpreted as administrative errors now "hold a different connotation." "They are intimidating immigration lawyers and we cannot dismiss the possibility that this is a deterrent tactic," he stated.
On her part, Harriet Steele remained steadfast in her stance of not leaving her homeland or her clients. "I will continue to do my job," she assured.
The event occurs in a context of increasing pressure on the United States immigration system.
Last week, the judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Hannah Dugan, was arrested by FBI agents on charges of helping an immigrant evade capture by ICE agents.
Dugan faces federal charges for obstructing an ICE operation and hiding an individual to prevent their arrest. She was arrested in the courthouse itself, wearing her robes, and appeared before a federal court on the same day.
The tightening of the immigration policies of the Trump Administration and its actions against figures in the judicial and legal system raise serious concerns about the respect for due process and the rights of those who advocate for immigrants in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Migration Alert and Harriet Steele's Situation
Why did Harriet Steele receive a DHS order to leave the United States?
Harriet Steele received a notification from the DHS ordering her to leave the country, despite being a U.S. citizen. The communication stated that her "permission to remain in the country" had expired, which was interpreted as either an administrative error or a possible intimidation tactic against immigration lawyers.
Is it common for American citizens to receive deportation orders?
It is not common for U.S. citizens to receive deportation orders, as in the case of Harriet Steele. This incident has been described as a system error or a possible intimidation tactic towards immigration lawyers, according to experts.
What administrative errors are affecting immigrants and lawyers in the U.S.?
Recent administrative errors have resulted in incorrect notifications from the DHS being sent to citizens, residents, and parole beneficiaries, ordering them to leave the United States. These errors have caused confusion and concern among those affected.
What legal actions can those affected by these erroneous DHS orders take?
Those affected by erroneous DHS orders can seek immediate legal assistance to challenge the validity of such orders. It is important to document all correspondence and maintain constant communication with an immigration attorney.
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