A lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) on December 11, 2018, alleges that significant alterations have been made to the Risk Classification Assessment (RCA) software, allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants who pose little or no flight risk. According to the lawsuit, ICE made changes to the RCA to favor detention of nearly all immigrants rather than release. This has led to increased detention even for immigrants with no criminal history.
Number of Detainees Soaring
Between the 2016 and 2017 calendar year, the number of immigrants detained by ICE who had no criminal record at all rose almost threefold, with well over 43,000 individuals who met these criteria detained in 2017. Combined with the growing backlog in the immigration court system, the number of immigrants being detained has led to a significant increase in the amount of time detainees spend in custody before they get their first day in court.
Automatic Detention of All Immigrants
The NYCLU lawsuit alleges that the alterations made by ICE to its RCA process have led to the automatic detention of all immigrants evaluated by this system. This has led to considerable hardship for immigrants who may have been guilty only of minor traffic offenses or of nothing more than attempting to start a new life in this country. By altering the RCA criteria, ICE may have stacked the odds against immigrants in dealing with issues related to visas, citizenship status and legal residency in the U.S.
Resolving Issues With ICE
For many immigrants in our area, retaining the services of a NYC immigration lawyer can provide added help in avoiding problems with ICE agents and resolving issues that could result in detention or deportation. Your NYC immigration lawyer can start the process of applying for work permits, immigration visas and citizenship and can provide you with the expert guidance you need to manage these activities in the most practical way possible.
For families or individuals who may need the support and guidance of an experienced NYC immigration lawyer, Pozo Goldstein can deliver the proven expertise needed to resolve your issues with ICE quickly and in the most positive manner possible. Our team includes a former judge and two former immigration prosecuting attorneys. This allows us to bring a unique perspective to the services we offer for our clients. Call us today at 212-201-9031 to schedule a free initial consultation in our office. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
