Advertisements
Home News Harrisonburg Immigration Lawyer Raises Concerns Over Laken Riley Act

Harrisonburg Immigration Lawyer Raises Concerns Over Laken Riley Act

by Celia

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, a bill aimed at detaining unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. Despite bipartisan support from both the House and Senate, a local immigration lawyer in Harrisonburg is voicing concerns about the new law.

Advertisements

The Laken Riley Act allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants accused of certain crimes. It also removes their ability to request release in court while their cases are pending. Additionally, the act gives states broad power to sue the federal government over immigration decisions.

Advertisements

Angel Gabriel Luna Anavitate, an immigration lawyer with Luna Vita Law, said the new law has turned the immigration world upside down. He argues that many protections for immigrants are being stripped away.

Advertisements

“Most of the due process that immigrants have in the United States is being taken away under the pretense that they are dangerous criminals,” Luna Anavitate said. “Everyone deserves due process. Even if you entered the country without permission, you still have the right to go through a legal process where a judge can decide if you can stay.”

Luna Anavitate is worried that the law might detain people for the wrong reasons. He pointed out that the law targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records, but it could be misused.

“They were trying to go after serious criminals, but they left the door open for abuse by including ‘arrested and charged with’ in the law,” he said. “They didn’t consider how this could be used against immigrants just because someone doesn’t like them.”

He also emphasized that not all undocumented immigrants are criminals. “We shouldn’t divide people into those with status and those without. That creates a false distinction of who is more human. Many of our friends and neighbors might be undocumented, but they are here seeking a better life and supporting their families.”

Luna Anavitate urged immigrants to know their rights. “If agents come to speak with them, they need to know what to say and how to protect themselves,” he added.

Read more:

Advertisements

You may also like

logo

Bilkuj is a comprehensive legal portal. The main columns include legal knowledge, legal news, laws and regulations, legal special topics and other columns.

「Contact us: [email protected]

© 2023 Copyright bilkuj.com