Those seeking legal status lured to hearings for ICE arrest, attorneys say
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Immigration attorneys are working to address recent ICE arrests following case dismissals in Kansas City’s immigration court.
Attorney William Michael Sharma-Crawford told KCTV5 that immigrants who are showing up to their scheduled court hearings or their notice-to-appear hearings are having their cases terminated.
Sharma-Crawford explained they are then put into expedited removal and arrested by ICE agents who are standing by and waiting in immigration court.
The attorney said he knows of this happening first-hand in Kansas City just last week.
“Then the government can stand up and say, ‘Hey take the case away from the court.’ And then the immigration agent is standing in the hallway, lobby, or wherever to then, because you’re not undocumented in the United States and you’re no longer in removal proceedings, so now I can take you into custody,” he explained. “And I’m going to take you into custody, and we’re going to place you into expedited removal proceedings.”
Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation held a protest Tuesday afternoon across from the city’s immigration courtroom.
Executive Director, Karla Juarez, who is an immigrant herself said, “No matter where you stand on the immigration issue, people deserve their day in court. Like I said it’s a right, not a privilege.”
Protestor held dozens of signs and chanted, expressing their opinions on the recent situations unfolding inside the courtroom.
Nancy Shark traveled from Lawrence to Kansas City to participate in the protest.
“That’s the constitutional right of anybody in this country. Citizen or not and if they don’t have that then are not welcome and they do not have the right to pick anybody up,” she said.
Attorneys are encouraging any immigrant to ask judges and the government (prosecuting attorneys) to write their motion to dismiss. From there, people should reach out to immigration attorneys or an advocacy group.
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