
The
information sessions, which held twice on Saturday, were organized by two
influential Nigerian groups in the U.S., namely the Organization for the
Advancement of Nigerians and the Nigerian Lawyers Association.
Some
of the concerns raised by the Nigerians included those who have overstayed in
the U.S. and were yet to perfect their documentations, and those with different
names on their documents due to marriage, divorce or other reasons.
Others
were those who have permanent residency, conditional permanent residency,
criminal records and those who have money in banks, investments or property,
should they be deported under the new immigration policy.
The
panel of attorneys on the teleconferences discussed concerns about the
Executive Order, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Dreamers) and the
rights of undocumented and documented immigrants.
The
attorneys advised those without documentation and who have money and other
investments to have contigency plans and seek counsel from financial experts
and attorneys.
Green
Card holders were advised to avoid overstaying beyond six months if they
travelled out of the U.S. or they may risk having their Green Card revoked.
Those
with conditional permanent residency were also advised to file the removal of
conditions 90 days before the expiry of the card or it would be terminated and
the holder would not have any valid status to remain in the U.S., and
therefore, face deportation.
Similarly,
those who have overstayed and without valid documentations were advised to be
law-abiding by avoiding running into troubles like drunk driving or other
associated crimes.
Those
who have had criminal convictions, were told that this is not the best time to
apply for any immigration benefits like Green Card as such record would pop up
and they may just be exposing themselves by reminding the enforcement officers
that they are illegal immigrants.
Also,
for those who have overstayed following the expiration of their visas, the
attorneys said such category of people could regularize their stay in the U.S.
if they have American spouses.
Those
travelling to the U.S. were advised against giving immigration or customs
officers at the airports their phones’ security codes to unlock the phones,
saying the officials have no right to ask for the codes except with a search
warrant.
They
were, however, advised to download any incriminating records out of their
phones to avoid any inappropriate questioning or deportation.
All
categories of immigrants were advised to always contact reputable attorneys who
understand immigration issues for necessary professional assistance.
The
Nigerians with expired visas without criminal records and without any forms of
identification were also advised to obtain cities’ identity cards like New
York’s, which is valid across the State.
The
Nigerian groups also allayed fears that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) officials were carrying out raids in New York or mounting check points
across the country.
According
to them, nobody is conducting raid in New York while check points by ICE
officials can only be carried out within 100 miles of the country’s borders.
Officials
of the groups said the two teleconference sessions on Saturday and those
sessions held on Monday, would be uploaded on their websites: www.oanweb.org
and immigration@nigerianlawyers.org to provide handy information.
Mr
Olayinka Dansalami, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Organisation for the
Advancement of Nigerians, said the information sessions on the travel ban were
the groups’ contributions to the welfare of Nigerians in the U.S.
Mr
Francis James, a Member of the Board of Trustees, disclosed that the groups
were always ready to defend and protect the rights of Nigerians in the U.S.
The
U.S. Government plans to consider almost all illegal immigrants subject to
deportation, but will leave protections in place for immigrants known as
“dreamers” who entered the country illegally as children, according to official
guidelines released on Tuesday.
The
revised orders, which are expected to be rolled out this week, after the
initial orders, which targeted nationals of seven countries, namely, Iran,
Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Libya, were blocked by Federal Courts.
The
Department of Homeland Security guidance to immigration agents is part of a
broader plan for border security and immigration enforcement of the executive
orders that Trump signed on Jan. 25, but which have generated protests across
the country and other countries around the world.
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