'It's time for you to leave the United States.' DHS tells temporary US residents to self-deport
The unsigned letter with DHS letterhead advised that if recipients did not depart the U.S. immediately they would be "subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States, unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here."
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The federal government is telling thousands of Hudson Valley immigrants — who are legally present in the United States — to leave the country immediately.
Zia Gulestani, a permanent visa holder from Afghanistan, told News 12 Wednesday three of his female friends received a letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stating that her temporary status has been revoked and she must leave the country immediately.
"My friend received this letter," Gulestani said. "When I spoke with her, she was so upset." DHS is telling temporary residents who have been seeking a permanent visa, "It's time for you to leave the United States ... Do not attempt to remain in the US. The federal government will find you."
The unsigned letter with DHS letterhead advised that if recipients did not depart the U.S. immediately they would be "subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States, unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here."
Gulestani — who did not receive the letter — is sticking up for his friends who did receive it.
He said his friends have applied for asylum, their cases are processing and they are legally present in the U.S.
"There's no education. There's no work for women," he said of life in Afghanistan. "What if she returns to Afghanistan? What does she do?"
He said they probably would not survive long.
"If any Afghans are turned back to Afghanistan, it's really crazy. The Taliban will kill them," Gulestani said. "The Taliban will not accept people who've been turned back to Afghanistan from the United States."
Gulestani rallied with local lawmakers and immigration attorneys in downtown Ossining Wednesday to increase pressure on DHS and some lawmakers for a retraction of the blanket letter that they describe as "spam."
"This is vindictive," State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg told the group of about 30. "It is despicable, and it has to stop."
Immigration attorneys advised anyone who receive the letter to immediately call an attorney to make sure their legal rights are fully afforded.DHS is admitting some fault regarding the letter, which was reportedly sent to about a million people nationwide, some of whom are permanent visa holders or citizens.
"CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications," an unnamed DHS wrote in an email to News 12 Wednesday afternoon. "If a non-personal email—such as an American citizen contact—was provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients. CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis."
