Anuar Arriaga-Esquivel, one of our Asylum Legal Advocates and a DOJ Accredited Representative, spoke to ABC30 about ICE and border patrol sightings in the Central Valley. Unfortunately, as we approach the presidential inauguration on January 20, there's heightened concern over immigrants getting detained and deported. In the past weeks, there’s also been increased worries about ICE raids across California. In the Central Valley, there have been confirmed Border Patrol sightings in places like Kern County, causing fear and disruption in immigrants’ lives.

With an estimated 10,000 undocumented LGBTQ+ immigrants in the Central Valley, this community is already marginalized by inadequate access to services that meet their unique needs. The Central Valley tends to have a conservative political stance, and this affects what information is available, especially in the smaller communities. As one of the few legal service providers trained to serve LGBTQ+ immigrants and able to provide asylum representation in the Central Valley, Oasis is in a unique position to reach this vulnerable community and improve access to legal and social services. In 2023, one in five of our clients was from the Central Valley, with this number growing each year.

Following the U.S. election in November, our team has been meeting with immigrant advocate partners regionally and around the country, and planning internally to figure out how we can most effectively protect our community before the new administration takes office on January 20th.

"In the past month, we've filed, I think, 72 asylum cases. It's triple or quadruple what we usually file within a month," said Anuar Arriaga-Esquivel. Anuar confirmed that he's received an increased number of calls from concerned clients in the past few weeks. In an interview with ABC30, Anuar explained that depending on case specifics, it can take several years for an immigrant to obtain the necessary documentation to legally remain in the U.S.

Still, Anuar stressed every person in the U.S., regardless of their immigration status, has constitutional rights.

"You have the right to remain silent and you should do so until you have an attorney or representative present to help you. We are advising clients to carry any documented proof of their pending immigration cases," said Anuar.

Anuar continues, “it is important to exercise your constitutional rights and not sign any documentation or subject yourself to an unauthorized search of your car and home. If ICE agents state that they have an arrest warrant, it should be signed by a judge and have the correct spelling of your name and address. You should create a plan with your loved ones in case you are detained. If you are detained, call a rapid response hotline as soon as possible. In the Central Valley, this number is 559-206-0151."

If you are an LGBTQ+ immigrant in need of legal representation, please contact our team for a consultation.

To learn more about how to keep you and your family safe in interactions with ICE and where to go for help, please review our Know Your Rights Guide.