A new terror tactic ICE has deployed recently has agents targeting immigrants for deportation during routine court hearings. This is what happened to Dylan, a Bronx high school student who fled Venezuela, survived a kidnapping by a cartel, and applied for asylum. Dylan obtained a work permit and driver's permit, began working as a delivery cyclist, enrolled in a school catering to new arrivals, and was helping to raise his younger siblings as his mom worked multiple jobs.

Dylan's family, peers, and the staff at his school are reeling from his abduction. His mother, Raiza, fears for his well being. Dylan was undergoing testing for chronic stomach issues at the time of his abduction and has not received any medical care since being detained. Over the course of one week, Dylan has been transferred between four states, effectively preventing his lawyers from getting in touch with him.

This newest, widespread ICE tactic works like this: when individuals show up for routine, required immigration hearings, government lawyers request that the judge drop deportation proceedings. Individuals are not informed that their asylum claims will be dropped as well in the process, leaving them without any protection when the government then immediately turns around to initiate "expedited removal" processes and arrest the person on the spot. It's a cruel, malicious attack against the immigration system as a whole. While local courts are made into ICE danger zones, deportation orders also result from failing to show up for these scheduled court dates.

Action item: search "court accompaniment for immigrants" in your area. There may be a group who can train you to be active in solidarity with your neighbors and provide protection and allyship as they navigate a hostile court system.

(Taken from an email sent to me by Never Again Action. Emphasis original.)