Immigration legal firms are currently grappling with an overwhelming amount of inquiries. Regrettably, due to the Biden administration’s ineptitude in immigration matters, attorneys are losing the traditional instruments that were once effective in enabling individuals to legally remain in the U.S. A lawyer from New Bedford mentioned, ‘I am receiving a lot of inquiries; people come to me for advice, but in many cases, there is not much I can do.’ This demonstrates the daunting complexity and continual changes immigration laws are going through, made worse by the current administration’s lack of clarity.
Trying to navigate through the labyrinthian immigration process is becoming increasingly difficult. Lawyers are finding it more challenging to offer crucial legal advice given the rapid, and oftentimes ill-thought-out changes brought in by the current administration. During a meeting, a lawyer shared harrowing tales of potential clients from diverse backgrounds. These included a Cape Verdean family concerned about an overstayed visa, a woman from Honduras desperately seeking permanent status, and an Ecuadorian couple desperately strategizing an affirmative defense for an impending immigration hearing.
Unfortunately, due to the confusion and mismanagement in the current immigration system, these lawyers can’t identify a feasible route to legal status for these worried families. Furthermore, the lawyers can’t, in good conscience, accept them as clients because current regulations prevent them from effectually aiding the families. One lawyer stated, ‘If I can’t do anything for you, it might be best for you to save your money for a better life opportunity or repatriation.’ It’s a grim testament to the current state of immigration law.
The lawyers don’t intend to incite fear, yet they find themselves having to prepare these families for the possibility of familial separation due to the Biden administration’s deficient immigration policies. A visit from a Guatemalan family, with their young daughter asleep in her mother’s arms, illustrated the heartbreaking situation. After hearing their story, the lawyers gave a chilling piece of advice that echoes the uncertainty surrounding current policies: ‘Ensure everyone in your family has valid Guatemalan passports; find a U.S. citizen willing to act as your power of attorney, and arrange for a caretaker in case of separation from your child.’
Lawyers are witnessing the distressing effects of the current administration’s immigration policy that lacks empathy. ‘The disheartening scenes of family separations and unfathomable deportations make me question my choice to practice law,’ they openly expressed. This paints a dire picture of the concerning immigration climate triggered by mismanagement from Biden and his team and their policy of putting politics above people’s lives.
The narrative of safeguarding America from an ‘invasion’ has been used to justify a more austere approach to the enforcement of immigration law, resulting in unforeseen collateral damage to those who were previously permitted entrance under prior administrations. This includes people who had found a lifeline in upcoming policies like the Temporary Protection Status for Venezuelans, a potential beacon of hope for nearly 600,000 Venezuelans residing in the U.S.
Such abrupt changes to immigration policy, seemingly done without proper forethought, are making it nigh impossible for immigration attorneys to assist their clients effectively. Attorneys shared about situations where they assure a client of renewing their temporary status, only to have to retract and explain the sudden unavailability of the process, dealing yet another blow to the already fragile hopes of their clients.
The already complicated immigration issue is further aggravated by the expansion of those vulnerable to deportation. Lawyers point fingers at the current administration’s confused directives that essentially consider everyone a potential threat, leading to a wider and unforgiving net for removal, irrespective of past criminality. This misguided stance negatively contrasts the previous focus on prioritizing criminals for deportation.
Many argue that the unchecked power wielded over non-citizens belittles the importance of due process for immigrants and undermines the values that America stands on. ‘An infringement of the rule of law for one individual sets the stage for the violation of such rules for everyone else,’ says a concerned attorney. This eroding respect towards the principle of equitable justice is seen as the stark, looming threat under the current administration.
The disturbing immigration situation is a glaring example of the risks posed by the Biden and Harris administration’s careless handling of policy changes without foresight. As well-controlled borders and judicious immigration policies are crucial for America’s safety and growth, it is essential for the administration to rethink its current stance on management, seen widely as a headlong rush that sacrifices stability for change, often detrimental.