Attorney Mario Godoy emphasizes that immigrants should not answer questions without a lawyer present
Chicago: Attorney Mario Godoy has some solid advice for undocumented immigrants about their rights. His firm, Godoy Law Office, has been hosting Zoom workshops to help people understand what to do if they encounter U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
Godoy stresses that immigrants don’t have to talk to ICE. They only need to give their name. After that, it’s best to ask for a lawyer. If ICE shows up at your home, they can’t enter without a judge’s warrant. Godoy suggests taking a photo of the warrant through the window and sending it to him to verify its legitimacy.
If someone doesn’t have a criminal record, they might be able to fight their case in court. Godoy mentions that some cases can drag on for years, even decades. He also warns against signing any immigration paperwork without consulting an attorney first. A good immigration lawyer can help request a bond hearing while the case is pending.
For those with an active removal order, the situation is trickier, as a judge has already ruled on their removal. Godoy also advises naturalized citizens and American-born people of color to carry their passports to prove their citizenship. He believes recent laws could lead to racial profiling, which is concerning.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
