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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending February 3, 2017
CGID
Immigration
In light of the change in US administration and drastic changes in US immigration policy, the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) issues the following guidance to immigrants; particularly Caribbean nationals, who are permanent residents (Greencard hold-
Bulletin
dents status for five or more years; pursuant to a petition by a parent, child, sibling, or employment, are eligible for citizenship and should apply immediately, after consulting an immigration attorney. Permanent residents with criminal convictions should NOT apply for citizenship without first consulting an immigration attorney about their criminal convictions. Failure to seek the advice of counsel may result in you being placed in removal/deportation proceedings. 9. Permanent residents, persons who are out of status or undocumented, who have felony and/or misdemeanor convictions for deportable offenses or crimes of moral turpitude, should, in contemplation of being deported, consult an immigration attorney regarding their status. These individuals should also avoid international as well as interstate travel within the US, as they may be subject to questioning and/or detention by ICE agents. 10. Persons who are undocumented or out of status and wish to lawfully regularize their status must do so as soon as possible; after con-
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ers), out of status or undocumented; 1. The Trump administration hearing until the matter is cornhas in effect reinstated a Bush ad- pletely resolved, and make sure you ministration policy known as "5e- obtain a certificate of disposition. ❖V 7. If arrested and prosecuted cure Communities." "Secure Comit munities" is a partnership between for committing a crime, do not acfederal, state and city law enforce- cept misdemeanor and/or felony suiting an immigration attorney. ment. It mandates and empowers plea agreements, without the advice 11. Deferred Action For ChildState and City Police, as well as the of both a criminal defense and imhood Arrivals: This is a program encourts, to arrest and/or detain undoc- migration attorney. Violations are acted by President Obama for young umented immigrants, with or with- acceptable in some circumstances people (Dreamers) who came to the out criminal convictions, as well as but consult a criminal defense and US before age 16 and are currently permanent residents with criminal immigration attorney before acceptunder age 31. Prospective candiconvictions, who engage the crimi- ing a plea for a violation. Pleading dates should consult an immigration nal justice system. Detainees are re- guilty to crimes without the advice attorney to verify eligibility and crimanded to the custody of US of counsel could jeopardize your teria and apply immediately for Department of Homeland Security, permanent resident status, prevent DACA status before the program Immigration & Customs Enforce- you from becoming a US citizen or ends. Those with DACA status ment (ICE), for removal/deportation make you ineligible for permanent should seek to renew their status proceedings for violating US Immi- residence or US citizenship. within three months of expiration. gration law. 8. Individuals with permanent For More Information Contact 2. Obey the law at all times to residence status (Greencard holders) CGID Tel: 347-403-9092 avoid arrest. If arrested, you have a for three or more years, pursuant to Rickford Burke: International right to remain silent as well as a marriage, are eligible for citizenship Law and Public Policy Consultant right to an attorney. and should apply immediately, after Democratic Political Consultant 3. Do not operate a motor ve- consulting an immigration attorney. Tel: 347-403-9092 (Office) hicle without a valid driver's license Individuals with permanent resiTel: 518-882-8270 (Cell) issued to you by any State within the US. It is an arrestable offense. You may drive in the US lawfully, but New York Congresswoman concerned Ttump's temporally, with a valid driver's license issued to you by a government immigration restrictions may turn to Caribbean agency in your country of origin (unless residing in the US). Contact United States Congress' roots, warned that the Republican your DMV for more information woman, Yvette Clarke, — ^ BPQfe Party would be defeated at midabout driving with a foreign license. who is of Caribbean roots „ term elections due in another 18 4. Driving with, or use of what months if the Muslim population in — Sunday night said she was woris known as, an "international drithe US turns out in its numbers. "In ried that President Donald Trump ver's license," or an "international might add Guyanese to the list of particular, the Muslim community driver's permit," is a crime. These can make a difference in these nationals whose citizens are are unlawful or fraudulent instruelections if they register and they banned from entering his country. ments. Presenting them to a Police "I am concerned that he could i vote," she told the mainly Muslim officer could be a felony. expand that if we don't organize attendees at the meeting. 5. Do not drive under another and push back now. We know that A New York judge has since isperson's name or with someone in the Caribbean region there is a sued a temporary order restraining else's license. If stopped and/or disvery healthy Muslim population covered by the Police you can be arauthorities from blocking nationals from Guyana, to Trinidad, to JaYVETTE CLARKE rested for identity fraud. of those countries from entering maica across the board and so we turned home where they are said to 6. If a law enforcement offithe US. The final ruling could dehave to make sure we come to- be subjected to monitoring by pocer issues a summons/ticket to you termine the future of Trump's immigether,"she told an emergency lice. for a moving violation or quality of gration restrictions. meeting in Brooklyn, New York. Trump has temporarily banned life infraction, like; being in the park Congresswoman Clarke anMany Trinidadian Muslims holders of non-immigrant visas and after hours, urinating in public, jaywalking, riding on the sidewalk, have gone to fight for the Islamic permanent residency cards from nounced that she would be headcrossing in between subway train State mainly in Syria. Several have entering the US once they are orig- ing back to Washington DC where cars, spitting on the train, etc., do since fled the repressive socio- inally from Syria, Iran, Libya, Soma- she would be mounting unrelenting not become a scofflaw. Pay all fines and/or ensure you attend every court
economic and political conditions in those countries and have re-
lia, Sudan and Yemen. Clarke, who has Jamaican
pressure on government to reverse the ban.