BAKER COUNTY, Fla. — Local immigration attorneys and detention facilities are gearing up for increased and faster-paced deportations.
According to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, expectations are deportations will begin moving at a faster pace locally, as a result of President Donald Trump’s executive actions on illegal immigration.
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The Baker County Detention Center has been used to house up to 250 ICE detainees since 2011.
For the past year, the facility has been near capacity, and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office expects it to stay that way despite also anticipating detainees will be processed faster.
“Deportations will happen at an increased pace,” said a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office in a statement.
Immigration attorney Rebecca Black told Action News Jax she’s already seeing an influx of reported ICE activity in our area.
“Philips Highway. So, it’s just, they’re around. University, Riverside,” said Black.
She argued expedited deportations could make it more difficult for detainees to retain legal representation, which would also make it harder for them to plead their case.
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“They may not know what relief against deportation they may have,” said Black.
Black said she anticipates this will likely be the new normal for immigrants with questionable legal status for the foreseeable future.
She argued now is the time for immigrants, who do have a claim to stay here, to get their documentation and status in order.
“So, people are scrambling to do that, figure out an attorney, putting the funds together,” said Black. “But like I said, if you have a rocket docket going there, you have guys lined up for video deportation orders.”
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Black also mentioned immigrants who have been here for at least two years are not subject to expedited deportation proceedings.
She recommended those who have been here for that length of time ensure they have documentation on hand to prove it.
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