Immigration Detention: Expert Lawyer Shares 4 Key Preparations to Protect Your Rights

In a recent online video, immigration lawyer Leslie Reyes provided vital guidance for individuals who may find themselves detained by immigration authorities. Reyes outlined four crucial steps to take to ensure legal protection and potentially prevent deportation. The first recommendation is to have a signed G-28 form, which designates legal representation. "This form means you have an attorney," Reyes explained, emphasizing that it allows lawyers to communicate directly with ICE agents to determine next steps, seek bond, or halt deportation. She stressed the importance of having this form signed by your attorney beforehand for immediate action. Secondly, Reyes advised having a signed I-245 form ready. This form is instrumental in halting deportation proceedings. "We as lawyers need to act very quickly to hopefully stop that deportation," she stated, highlighting that this form is key to enabling timely legal intervention. The third critical item is comprehensive documentation for immigration. This includes proof of residency for more than two years, birth certificates of children, or evidence of a spouse or parents with legal status or severe health conditions for whom you are a caregiver. Reyes recommended scanning all these documents and storing them on your phone and email for immediate access by family or legal representatives in case of detention. Finally, Reyes urged individuals to seek out a qualified deportation defense attorney if they don't already have one. She underscored the necessity of verifying that the chosen lawyer is licensed and specializes in deportation defense, noting that her firm handles such cases nationally. "You need to know and ensure that the person you are hiring is a lawyer and that they do deportation defense," she concluded.