After 40 years in the United States and surviving an attempted murder, he is now facing deportation.
After more than 40 years in the United States and surviving an attempted murder, one of our clients is now facing deportation.
Recently, JAMLAC began representing a client who was brought to the United States as a child, around the age of five. He has lived here for over four decades and is the father of three children, all of whom depend on him for stability and support.
Several years ago, he was the victim of a violent crime — a survivor of an attempted murder. When the crime occurred, he did exactly what our system asks of people: he cooperated fully with the Sheriff’s Office, followed all instructions, and participated in the legal process in good faith.
Despite this cooperation, he was later detained by ICE, not for a violent offense, but in connection with an old traffic-related issue. He was initially placed on electronic monitoring and later taken into custody.
JAMLAC stepped in because this client does have legal options for immigration relief and is actively pursuing status. He currently has a pending U Visa application, a form of protection available to victims of serious crimes who assist law enforcement.
This case is one example of what we are seeing — situations where individuals who comply with law enforcement and try to do the right thing still face serious and unexpected immigration consequences. These realities underscore how complex today’s immigration system has become and why careful legal guidance is critical, so that cooperation, accountability, and public safety do not unintentionally place families at greater risk.