In the past several months, our Immigration Law Office has received many phone calls and e-mails expressing frantic apprehension that all Hispanics will be deported. These fears and concerns are not unjustifiable given the recent anti-immigrant rhetoric set forth by Republican Presidential candidates and due to the plan for Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) to engage in “sweeping raids” in May and June to deport immigrant families who entered the country illegally. In January, the administration conducted a similar raid called “Operation Border Guardian to arrest and detain Central American families. Among those targeted were high school students (refugee teens) who were on their way to school. This has understandably resulted in extreme fear for undocumented individuals and families who deserve a voice and legal advocacy to explain the oft-times compelling reasons why they have had to leave their countries of origin.
One cannot help but recall the evocative poem written by Lutheran Pastor and theologian Martin Niemoller, called “And I Did Not Speak Out,” in which he poignantly describes what happens when political apathy exists and when our populace decides to look the other way when certain members of society are being targeted.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me
At the Shulman Law Group, LLC, our professional mission is to “speak out for” and to protect immigrants. As Immigration Attorneys, our firm takes our sense of humanistic responsibility seriously and strives to help individuals from all countries and backgrounds seeking to make the United States their adopted home. We are experts in educating our clients about their civil rights, about the correct ways to adjust their status in the United States, and in helping to prevent deportation. We understand that deporting women and children seeking asylum in the United States back to their home countries could be equivalent to a death sentence. We hope that by giving these individuals a voice within the immigration law world, they will be able to express their compelling stories and be allowed to remain without fear in the United States, a country known for providing humanitarian assistance.