Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Increased immigration enforcement is prompting local attorneys to respond to a worsening backlog of detainees.

People arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, and a stay can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the case.

Immigration lawyers say there are reports of ICE raids in homes, workplaces and schools, and it’s not just undocumented immigrants, but also all non-US citizens, from COFA migrants to student visa holders to green card holders.

Attorney Amanda Chang said one green card holder was flagged due to an assault conviction 30 years ago.

“He was picked up by ICE agent after his entry back to the U.S. after a trip so he was picked up,” Chang said. “The family was in crisis because he was a father of four daughters, U.S. citizens, and one grandchild.”

The detainee spent two months in detention. His case was resolved with the help of a private attorney.

“But there are some people who are not able to afford so we are providing the services to match up pro bono immigration attorneys for deportation defenses if they are put into deportation proceedings,” Chang said.

To help, the Hawaii American Immigration Lawyers Association created a Deportation Defense Response Team, and it starts with a phone call.

“If you have a family member, coworker, or a neighbor who is detained at the Federal Detention Center and subject to deportation, waiting for deportation, you don’t know what is going on, you can call the number and volunteering attorneys will visit those detainees every Friday starting from May, and then we will try to help out those detained people as well as the families who are calling us,” Chang said.

The service aims to provide relief to families who’ve been separated due to stricter immigration enforcement and advocates trying to help people like Tian and her 9-year-old son, who escaped religious persecution in China.

“Their English is limited, and their knowledge of the U.S. is also limited. And so I definitely think it’s very, very important to have more of a legal help,” said Hong Jiang, a human rights advocate who has helped many Chinese immigrants seek asylum in the U.S.

“It’s just very hard and not only the wait is so long, usually within a month or two, you should get the first hearing, at least to know what’s going on with the next step. But it’s been now three months, no information. I also don’t know who to check through,” Jiang said.

The service comes as advocates brace for the worst.

“I’ve been doing immigration law for the last 25-plus years. The mood lately is a lot of people are very concerned about traveling abroad, like, you know, if I were to travel and I’m not a U.S. citizen, I’m a visa holder or green card holder, upon my entry, would I be able to return?” Chang said.

To reach the immigration help hotline, call 808-204-5951.

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