Immigrants detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida must act quickly and follow a series of essential legal steps to navigate the process and secure their release as soon as possible.
The immigration attorney Ismael Labrador explained in an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón that the first step after an arrest is to transfer that person to a temporary center, usually located in Miramar.
Subsequently, the immigrant may be moved to one of the so-called transitional detention centers, known among migrants as “Alligator Alcatraz” or the one in Broward. From there, detainees are often sent to another facility where they may remain in custody for a longer period.
"The first step is to request a bond, but they are likely going to deny it, as they are not issuing them," said Labrador.
“Then there is the need to file for habeas corpus, the petition for release before the Federal Court. It's also important to contest the deportation case, meaning the defense against deportation within the United States. These are procedures that must be carried out in unison,” he emphasized.
The lawyer also warned that these processes must be initiated immediately, as those who wait too long face issues with the judicial deadlines.
“The Federal Court may take time to respond, and this could be a problem for being released. The immediate step is to find a lawyer to handle all your procedures,” he recommended.
Labrador concluded that the detentions can extend for more than a month before immigrants achieve their release, which is why he emphasized the importance of acting quickly and having specialized legal counsel.
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