Asylum Seekers Are Being Arrested During Mandatory ICE Check-Ins

Jorge, an asylum seeker who immigrated to the US in late 2021, was detained by ICE after responding to a mandatory check-in text message. He has been held in a federal detention center in Tacoma, Washington, for nearly a month despite having an active asylum case and a work permit. Local attorneys with Equity Corps of Oregon indicate that other immigrants have also faced arrests following ICE check-in notifications, raising alarms about the enforcement tactics used in sanctuary states. Jorge's attorney anticipates that he may wait four to six months for a court date regarding his asylum appeal. A friend expressed distress over Jorge's detention, noting that he could be supporting his family instead of being imprisoned.

The recent arrests coincide with a broader trend of heightened immigration enforcement in Oregon, particularly under the Trump administration. Jorge's experience has prompted local legal advocates to recommend that immigrants consult their attorneys when receiving ICE notifications. This situation underscores ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the region.