Willy Allen III Shares Essential Documents for ICE Appointments and How to Handle Encounters

In the wake of a spike in immigration arrests—ICE reportedly made over 10,000 detentions in just five days, according to The New York Times—immigration attorney Willy Allen III shared crucial advice on what documents immigrants should have prepared and how to act if approached by an ICE agent during an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba.

Essential Documents to Prepare

Allen III's primary suggestion is to organize all necessary paperwork before any meeting or interaction with the agency. “Essentially, it's important to have any document that can prove legal entry or that someone is engaged in a legal process readily available,” he summed up.

Key documents include the passport from the home country, a U.S. identification like a driver's license or work permit, a receipt for a pending residency application, a copy of the parole, and for asylum seekers, a copy of the asylum application alongside the receipt confirming it was filed within the first year of arrival.

The practicality of having these documents prepared is crucial. “Once detained, obtaining these documents becomes significantly more challenging,” Allen III cautioned.

Communicating with ICE Agents

If an immigrant finds themselves speaking with an agent, the lawyer advises clarity on three critical points: how they entered the country, what immigration processes are underway, and whether they are involved in court proceedings.

“It’s crucial to articulate clearly how you entered the country, what is pending, if you are in court, evidence of being in a legal process, and that there’s no criminal record. Keep your passport handy to demonstrate your nationality,” he explained.

Navigating Barcode Appointments

For those attending an appointment that only requires scanning a barcode, Allen offered some reassurance, albeit with caution.

“I cannot guarantee that everything will go smoothly every time, because one never knows what might occur. However, in my experience, I've never witnessed anyone detained for merely scanning their barcode. I advise not to interact with the machine beyond scanning, simply say yes to all prompts, and exit with the next appointment. As long as you follow this, there have been no issues,” he noted.

Never Attend ICE Appointments Alone

One of Allen's strongest recommendations is not to attend any ICE appointment alone. “If you have to meet with ICE, bring someone along who can wait for you outside in the car. If you don't come out, instruct them to contact a lawyer to assist you,” advised Allen III, adding that his firm frequently accompanies clients to ICE offices.

This advice is particularly pertinent given the evolving methods of detention, which have become more discreet. With the change in agency leadership, ICE now operates through traffic stops, immigration appointments, and office visits, as opposed to the large public raids seen in previous years.

Legal Changes and Inspections

Meanwhile, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday, in a two-to-one vote, that ICE cannot detain immigrants for more than 90 days without holding a bond hearing, a decision impacting Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi directly.

Allen III described the ruling as unexpected but positive. “It's something, at the end of the day, and at least it shows the issue is shifting slightly in our favor over time.”

On Friday, a congresswoman conducted a surprise inspection of the ICE facility in Miramar, Florida, highlighting extreme overcrowding and inhumane conditions, underscoring the growing pressure on detention facilities in the state.