The Hofstra Deportation Defense Clinic (DDC) is ready to provide free consultations for urgent assistance on imminent removal proceedings starting today, opening its calendar to start scheduling appointments.
The clinic will provide rapid raid response including support for family members of those picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); representation in bond hearings; motions to suppress, terminate or reopen; and consultations on eligibility for relief or status and Freedom of Information Act review.
Its director, Emily Torstveit Ngara, said the priorities of intake include those picked up in ICE raids; LGBTQ detainees; unaccompanied minors falsely accused of gang involvement; detained individuals; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients with in abstentia orders of removal, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients with in abstentia orders of removal; and other individuals with prior orders of removal.
“Our hope is that we will be able to help individuals who are most imminently at risk of being removed, that we will be able to help people who may be targeted for enforcement or picked up in raids,” Torstveit Ngara said. “We’re hoping that we will be able to hold ICE to their own rules and challenge them when they do not comply with those rules and advocating systemically for improved conditions on Long Island.”
The clinic is also in the process of building a list of attorneys for referral.
The DDC will not be offering full representation on merits hearings so its staff can maintain readiness for rapid response situations.
Clients will be working with Hofstra students closely supervised by licensed attorneys.
Call 516-463-5934 to complete the intake process or schedule a consultation. Interpreters are available. Organizations with questions can email Emily.TorstveitNgara@hofstra.edu.
With DACA in the crosshairs of immigration opponents, the DDC’s services may soon become more needed than ever. Stand by with Long Island Wins for the latest updates.
