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COMMUNITY ALERT!
Over the past week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained several individuals of Khmer ancestry with final orders of removal, so that the Interior Ministry of Cambodia can interview and possibly deport them.
This follows a series of interviews that ICE and the Cambodian Ministry conducted last year in Tacoma, WA and York, PA that resulted in the deportation of several people to Cambodia. These people were Cambodian Americans and those of Khmer ancestry born in other countries (e.g., Thailand, Philippines) who were:
- Previously released from detention on an order of supervision
- Transferred directly from jails/prisons to ICE custody, and who stayed in custody after being ordered removed by an immigration judge.
In the past, many Khmer immigrants did not fight their deportation cases because Cambodia refused to accept them for removal. However, since the U.S. and Cambodia signed an agreement in 2002, deportations have been on the rise. And this year, ICE is set to triple its number of removals.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
If you are on supervised release, subject to a final order of removal, ICE may detain you for an interview with the Interior Ministry of Cambodia, so that they can issue you travel documents for your imminent removal.
It is important that you prepare for this possibility:
- Speak to an immigration attorney that specializes in deportation defense to see if you qualify for any relief. In the past, ICE has mistakenly deported U.S. citizens.
- Execute a power of attorney before a notary to give a trusted family member/friend the ability to make important decisions on your behalf in the event that you are deported. This involves possible decisions regarding the welfare of your child, closing your bank account, and selling your property (e.g., your car, house, etc.)
- If you have a scheduled check-in, do not bring your only form of ID (e.g., driver's license, etc.). ICE will confiscate them and will not return them to you, even if you are deported. These documents are crucial to helping you obtain new ID in Cambodia and getting funds wired to you abroad.
- if you are issued travel documents, request that your deportation officer give your family permission to drop off/mail you 40 pounds of luggage to accompany you to Cambodia.
Please alert other members of your community so that they can be prepared.
If you have any further questions, contact APALC at (213) 977-7500.
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