Before the eyes of Tessa M. Cabrera, an immigration lawyer, her client was unexpectedly arrested during his final residency interview at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in San Diego, in a move she never anticipated.

“It was very abrupt. The interview had been going normally. The USCIS agent was checking his "Information, when the ICE agents entered. They asked him directly for his name. When he gave it to them, they told him to stand up, took him to the side of the office, told him to turn around, and handcuffed him," the lawyer told NBC 7 San Diego. Her client, she said, is the father of two US citizen children, one of whom is 17 years old with autism, and for whom he is the severe primary caregiver. He applied for his residency when his oldest daughter turned 21.

“Basically, he turned to look at me, as if to say, 'My world has fallen apart,'” the lawyer commented.

She added that this father has been in the country since 2002 and has no criminal record.

After the arrest, his client was taken to the Otay Mesa Detention Center and will have a bond hearing next week.

“He still doesn't know why he was arrested. Honestly, this is not something I've ever experienced and would like to go through again.”

She added that people are excited to receive their green cards and citizenship; And to go into an office expecting to leave with good news, and then be taken out in handcuffs and separated from your family, has been a truly horrible thing to witness.

He stated that when he asked the agents why they were taking him, they showed him an arrest warrant, in one box of which it was stated as the cause for detaining his client that he had committed some type of immigration law violation.

Following the arrest of this father, community members and lawyers held a vigil to protest the arrest of immigrants during residency interviews at the USCIS offices in San Diego.

According to several immigration lawyers, ICE has launched a new tactic in San Diego: detaining people during their interviews for legal residency at USCIS.I always think nothing can surprise me anymore, but this week has completely shocked me. I just want people to know what's going on," said immigration attorney Emily Wietzel. In Los Angeles, immigration attorney Alex Galvez said that these detentions of residency applicants are happening, and he experienced it firsthand with a client a few months ago. "They had no reason to arrest her, but they still detained her and held her in Adelanto for three months. In the end, we were able to get her out on bond, and she obtained her residency," he said. However, he commented that his client and her family suffered emotional distress from being deprived of their freedom and incurred significant expenses. "During the residency interview, we couldn't stop her detention because the federal agents already had the arrest warrant. That's how they operate; “they arrive with the warrant, and there's nothing you can do at that point.” Attorney Galvez advised those who are going to a residency interview to speak with an immigration attorney before leaving, or even before the citizenship exam, because arrests have occurred. "In the case "If they have a record of crimes that make them deportable, they could be arrested," he said. He also emphasized the importance of consulting with an immigration attorney before attending the residency appointment. "They may not have serious criminal records, but if they had a previous deportation order, especially one issued by a judge, if they were caught at the border with a fake ID, or if they re-entered the country before April 1, 1997, they don't qualify, even if they children have been born in the country,” he said. I have clarified that having a US citizen child over 21 does not make them eligible for residency if they entered without papers. “It's like having a Ferrari with two wheels; you can't go anywhere. You only have 50% of the residency.” I have maintained that to be eligible for residency as an undocumented immigrant with children over 21, you need to have entered the country legally. visa; or with parole (a permit) or if you have a 245i petition filed before April 30, 2001.

In response to the incident in San Diego, ICE spokespeople said that ICE is committed to enforcing federal immigration laws through targeted operations that prioritize national, public, and border security.

“People who are illegally in the United States, including those with irregular immigration status in federal facilities such as USCIS offices, could be arrested, detained, and deported in accordance with US immigration law.

“For those residing illegally in the country, self-deportation remains the safest and most efficient option, and tools such as the CBP Home app are available to facilitate the self-deportation process.”

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