In the last two months, newspapers, radio stations and the community
have been abuzz with news of constant raids. Individuals and factories
are being targeted and others are just randomly being picked up by ICE.
So, in this "Brave New World", how can you avoid deportation?

The
first answer makes the most sense: enter the U.S. legally and remain
here legally, always safeguarding your visa status. Unfortunately, that
is not always easy and often does not apply to those who are most at
risk and who most need to remain "under the radar". The following,
however, are some suggestions for those without status who are
remaining in the U.S., holding out for an amnesty/legalization that can
come none too soon:

7. If you do not have a license, do not
drive, especially if you live in the Poconos, Hazelton or any small
town where immigrants are not the favored class. If you are found to be
driving without a license, almost always these days the local police
will call ICE. You will be taken into custody and sent far away, often
to Texas or Louisiana.

8. If you are going to drive without a
license, do not drive drunk!  Driving under the influence (DUI) is a
crime and a deportable one at that. Yes, this is common sense but
apparently many people are ignoring that inner voice of common sense in
their heads because the ICE holding center in York, PA, is filled with
both LPRS and illegally present individuals who did not heed this inner
voice.

9. Do not play loud music, get into fights with neighbors,
or engage in any activities that would cause your neighbors or others
to call the police. Once they arrive and hear any accent, there's a
decent chance that ICE will be called onto the scene.

10. Do not
apply for a driver's license if you are not eligible. ICE appears to be
working hand in hand with PENNDOT and is very quick in turning up,
especially if you have shown questionable/fraudulent documents which,
by the way, are a crime.

11. Do not enter any Immigration office
to accompany a friend or family member if you have an outstanding
warrant of deportation. ICE and USCIS are far from dumb and it would be
wise to remember that.

12. Do not commit any crime because if you
do, even if your sentence is a light one, a hold will be placed on you
and you will be immediately turned over to ICE. If you are illegally
present, you are done and will be deported/removed from the USCIS. Even
if you are legally present, you, too, can be removed. Don't think that
just because you're blonde haired, blue eyed that you can avoid this.
Just ask Mr. A, a 25 year old from Greece who has been in the U.S.
since childhood, barely speaks Greek and has his entire family in the
U.S. He did not worry about the consequences when he sold small amounts
of marijuana to two undercover police officers in the parking lot of a
local college and was sentenced to 11 months in jail. After his
release, ICE grabbed him and he is now on his way to Greece,
permanently, leaving behind a heartsick and helpless family.

So,
as we wait for our much needed immigration "fix-it" bill, let's heed
that inner voice and do what we can to remain here to benefit from
hopefully good future legislation.