CONCORD, N.H. -- Groups that fight for immigrants' rights are pressing for a path to citizenship in the wake of a new federal court ruling forcing the Trump administration to start taking applications again for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

The program has been in limbo -- tied up in court -- ever since the president tried to end the program three years ago. Eva Castillo, director at the New Hampshire Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees, wants the incoming Biden administration to halt all deportations while they unwind many of Trump's anti-immigrant policies.

"And then I would like to see a path to citizenship for the millions of people that are here, undocumented, working and contributing to our society," Castillo said.

DACA has allowed about 800,000 so-called Dreamers who were brought to the U.S. as minors, a permit to live and work here. An estimated 300,000 more residents are now eligible to apply.

President Donald Trump has said undocumented immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens and threaten public safety. It is unclear if the feds will appeal this ruling to the Supreme Court.

Castillo said the status quo cannot stand. And she is renewing her call for Congress to make immigration reform a priority.

"I just want to make sure that the administration doesn't just stay in the promise phase," she said. "I want to see some action. Because we have heard the promises before and nothing has happened."

Castillo estimates there are around 400 DACA recipients living in New Hampshire, and she thinks about 400 more now may be willing to come out of the shadows under a friendlier administration and apply for DACA.


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A northwest Texas family is waiting to hear from agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a recent traffic stop.

Jose is in the country illegally and was taken into custody by ICE agents after he and his wife, Ashley, were stopped by Lubbock police. Ashley said the incident was traumatizing for her and their three children.

"My oldest son, he was crying, because they were being really rough with his dad," Ashley explained. "They're slamming him against the window where he's at, and he's asking, 'Why are they taking him?' And I'm trying to explain to my 4-year-old that his dad's here illegally. He doesn't understand that."

Jose, who's from Central America, was eventually released and told to report for a hearing, but Ashley pointed out they have received conflicting information about upcoming court proceedings.

Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, an attorney in Austin representing the family, said they will fight to keep Jose from being deported. She added the couple had hired an attorney to get Jose his Green Card.

"This story highlights the fact that ICE is not just apprehending and placing people with criminal histories into immigration detention," Lincoln-Goldfinch noted. "Now, because of this incident, Jose has been placed into deportation proceedings. And this is one more person in the already backlogged immigration court system."

Ashley added if Jose is deported, she and their children will go to Central America with him.


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Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased fear and uncertainty in communities across the Sunshine State.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition has been holding legal workshops, launched a Know Your Rights webpage, and operates a statewide immigration hotline to provide resources for those at risk of deportation.

Adriana Rivera, director of communications for the coalition, said with reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across Florida, the group is working to ensure immigrant families understand their constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status.

"There is an element of racial profiling that we are witnessing, where even the sole purpose of you speaking a different language has gotten people detained," Rivera observed.

The organization also urged immigrants to carry written scripts asserting their rights, particularly for children who may be questioned at school. Trump's executive orders have raised concerns about increased ICE access to schools, hospitals and other public spaces where enforcement actions were previously restricted.

In some Florida school districts, officials have been instructed to cooperate with ICE agents even if they refuse to allow parental notification before detaining a student. Rivera stressed all families should be making a plan.

"If you are a U.S. citizen but you speak a different language, but you look a certain way or you pray differently than you know. You're not a Christian. You should be thinking, well, what happens if, if this situation occurs, if that situation occurs," Rivera explained.

As enforcement actions escalate, advocates urged families to consult immigration lawyers as soon as possible, particularly those with Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals as Trump's policies threaten to roll back protections.


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The City of Albuquerque and local business partners have launched a "Know Your Rights" campaign to help immigrants navigate the Trump administration's deportation crackdown on undocumented individuals.

Over the next few weeks, said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, community members will have multiple opportunities to get helpful information. He said many have expressed fear and concern about the recent federal orders, but noted that Albuquerque is an immigrant-friendly city.

"There's no record-keeping of anyone's history, in general, let alone your immigration status," he said. "And also, this applies to police and fire. Police officers are not allowed to ask for your immigration status and they're also not allowed to track if they find out your immigration status."

Adding to fears posed by legitimate Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, impersonation cases have been reported in at least three states, in which men posing as ICE agents targeted and harassed people of color, threatening them with deportation.

As surveillance and arrests ramp up, Rachel LaZar, executive director of immigrant-advocacy group El Centro, reminded businesses owners and their employees that ICE agents need a search warrant to enter spaces with signage that says "private" - including a restaurant's kitchen or restroom. She encouraged all business owners to have a plan.

"And it should be a company-wide plan, or an organization-wide plan for how to respond to ICE activity," she said. "We recommend you appoint at least one person per shift, within your company, who will know how to respond."

The "Know Your Rights" series kicked off with a presentation for business owners, but the remainder of the free webinar series will focus on individuals and community groups. Sessions will be held every Wednesday through March 12. More information is online at abq.gov/OIRA.


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