As the Trump administration enacts harsher deportation policies, Lexington’s Neighbors Immigration Clinic says they’ve seen an uptick in calls from clients.
The clinic says federal immigration policy changes constantly, and they’re always keeping tabs on those changes.
That comes as the Trump administration says it’s expanding the authority of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to fast-track deportations. It’s also reversing a Biden-era policy that keeps ICE out of sensitive areas like schools, churches and courthouses.
Other decisions have been legally challenged and could be stuck in court for years, like an executive order that would end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S.
Katie Taylor is the center’s legal director. She says it’s her job to make sure her clients know what policies affect them, and to make them less fearful.
“We don't want to just create fear for fear’s sake,” Taylor said. “I don't want our clients or immigrant neighbors to be afraid. And so I can't erase reality, but I can, and we can, as an organization, give them information that is rooted in practicality.”
The clinic has been organizing community meetings in the meantime to help immigrants know their rights, and tell them how to reach out for legal help.
Mizari Suárez is in charge of fundraising and community outreach for the clinic.
“The idea is that we tell people, ‘Go see an attorney.’ Everything changes every day,” Suárez said. “Just like we go and get a doctor checkup, a yearly checkup for our health, we should go and do a checkup on our immigration status.”
The clinic has also been busy fighting disinformation and rumors about ICE raids and hosting educational sessions about immigration law.
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