ICE agents arrested and deported 280 people in California

January 6, 2010benefits under the law.
US immigration lawyers            Though the benefit of removing
Law Offices of Kate L. Raynor“criminals” from our communities seems clear,
Across the state of California, Immigration andthe issue is much more complex.  The laws that
Customs Enforcement (ICE) led more than 400 agentsrequire the deportation of aliens who have committed
and local law enforcement officers to enforcecertain crimes are harsh and far reaching. The laws
deportation orders against undocumented immigrants.are also retroactive, meaning that an alien may be
As a result, ICE agents arrested and deported 280deported from the U.S. for committing two
people in California in the month of December 2009.misdemeanor offenses, even if the offenses were
 For ICE agents, the effort was the most successfulcommitted twenty or thirty years ago.  Many aliens
push yet to round up undocumented immigrants withfacing removal from the U.S. have relatives who are
suspected criminal backgrounds.U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. It is often
ICE’s mission is to enforce immigration laws, andunfair to the families of the person facing removal.
keep communities safe from undocumented The undocumented worker may be the sole source
criminals.  ICE Director John Morton said, "We're goingof income for his or her entire family.  Although it
to focus on those people who choose to pursue a lifeseems as though the United States is gaining safer
of crime in the United States rather than pursue thecommunities, there are many families devastated by
American dream of education, hard work andthe loss of loved ones for mistakes committed in the
success."  He continues, “illegal immigrants here inpast.
the United States are people who no one may want            The United States is a country of
walking our streets because of their criminal recordimmigrants.  We have welcomed people from every
and background.”corner of the globe.  The diversity of culture and
            Although it seems communitiesvalues that immigrants have brought with them
across the state are concerned about the effects ofcontribute to the vitality and success of the U.S., and
illegal immigration, it is imperative to keep in mind thatcontinue to enrich this country.  The United States is a
the vast majority of undocumented workers in the U.S.nation of countless cultures and values, bound by our
have NO criminal history.  shared experience, and by common goals to ensure
            When facing deportation from thethe happiness of our families. 
U.S., those facing removal can seek legal advice aboutWhatever our thoughts are about immigration, legal or
their options and fight back with the help of anotherwise, all Americans have a background and
immigration attorney.  Immigration attorneys servehistory of immigrating into this country.  The same
local communities in need of representation whenreason our families came to this country continues to
dealing with immigration issues.  An immigrationdraw families from around the world, the hope for a
attorney will ensure that anyone facing removal frombetter future, and the promise of the American dream.
the U.S., or other immigration obstacles, obtains their full