CAIR-WA attorney Anessa recently had an important legal win, here is what she has to say:
“I helped an Indonesian couple apply for their family based green cards in 2024. In the course of representation, I discovered that there was an old removal case pending against the husband from 2002, which I filed a motion to terminate so that the green card application could proceed.
“Though cases like theirs typically do not require an interview, the husband was called in for interview earlier this month. The client and his family (and our legal team) were concerned that he could be targeted by ICE at the interview because he is out of status, even though he had an approvable green card application.
“ICE arrests of immediate relatives of US Citizens at their green card interviews, particularly where the individual has no criminal background or other public safety red flags, is a cruel new tactic by the Trump administration that has received considerable media attention in recent weeks.
“I prepared my client and his family for the possibility of detention, making sure he brought any necessary medication with him and I was also prepared to file a habeas corpus petition in the Western District of Washington to demand his immediate release if needed. The stress and worry was palpable as we waited in the lobby for the officer to call my client’s case for his interview. Thankfully, the interview proceeded uneventfully, and the officer told us that a decision would be mailed in the coming weeks. The client and his family were incredibly relieved to leave the building with their family intact.
“Just over a week later, the client received notification that his case was approved! His wife’s case had been approved earlier this year, which means that they can now petition for their daughter to get permanent status. The wife has now been able to make plans to visit family and friends in Indonesia for the first time in over twenty years.”
This hardworking family continues to support CAIR-WA in gratitude for our services and to ensure our work continues.