For those without proper immigration paperwork, one unexpected encounter with ICE could spell disaster for their livelihood in the US. That said, a man in upstate New York fears for his girlfriend’s life as her court hearing had a sudden change from online to in-person. “The date and judge has been set for online court for many months now and they just changed it last minute,” he worriedly explains in a post on r/legaladvice.
He continues, saying how “due to recent events she is terrified that ICE will wait for her outside of the courthouse.” His partner has done everything in her power to do things right, but with the countless horror stories of people across the country being abducted without warning, it’s hard not to feel hopeless. He further explains how she’s never been arrested or even received a ticket for anything. Still, even without a criminal background, ICE sees her as a quota mark to be met, regardless of her clean credentials.
The Girlfriend Has No Choice But to Prepare for the Worst and Face ICE
As awful as it sounds, a grand majority of the post’s comment section agrees that the only option is for the couple to prepare for the worst. After all, it doesn’t seem like they have the authorization to reschedule or request that the hearing be reverted to virtual. Upvoted by thousands of users, the top comment offers some grim yet honest advice: “It would be prudent to plan on her getting picked up by ICE. Make arrangements accordingly. Highly recommend getting an immigration attorney to accompany her to court as well.”
There are very few reasons why the court would make the in-person change–at the last minute, too, of all things. There’s nothing else to do besides making all the mental and emotional preparations to meet with Trump’s lackeys. As for a lawyer, OP does mention that his girlfriend’s attorney will be present for the hearing, albeit in a video call. As one person puts it, “That’s better than nothing.”
Online users collectively agree that the boyfriend should “100% plan on her getting arrested and deported.” It’s extremely unfair and tragic that our once-inclusive country has become what it is now that this couple should even have to consider any of this. All Americans, both born here and elsewhere, deserve a better and safer future.
