Standing With Our Community: Attorney Griselda Ponce Discusses ICE Raids on KXAN News
At Ponce Law Firm, PLLC., we know that the threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids creates a deeply unsettling environment for families across Central Texas. When rumors of increased enforcement and neighborhood sweeps begin to circulate, panic and misinformation often follow.
Recently, Attorney Griselda Ponce sat down with NBC’s KXAN News to discuss the widespread fear gripping the local immigrant community and what advocates are doing to prepare.
Training Volunteers and Bracing for Enforcement
As covered in the KXAN report, local immigration advocates and legal professionals are not just standing by—they are actively preparing. Because ICE operations can happen swiftly and without warning, community organizations have begun training volunteers to safely observe, document, and report ICE activity.
During the interview, Attorney Ponce highlighted the importance of community readiness. The goal of these volunteer trainings is to ensure that immigrants are not isolated during enforcement actions and that their constitutional rights are fiercely protected.
Know Your Rights: What to Do if ICE Comes to Your Door
Whether you are at home, at work, or driving, everyone in the United States has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution—regardless of your immigration status. If ICE agents approach you or come to your home, remember these critical steps:
- Do Not Open Your Door: You are not legally required to open your door unless the agents slide a search or arrest warrant under the door signed by a judge. An administrative warrant (Form I-200 or I-205) does not give them the right to enter without your consent.
- Remain Silent: You have the right to remain silent. Do not answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country. Simply say, “I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, and I want to speak to my attorney.”
- Do Not Sign Anything: Never sign any document handed to you by ICE without having an immigration attorney review it first. You could accidentally be signing away your right to a hearing or agreeing to voluntary departure.
- Do Not Lie or Produce False Documents: Providing fake documents or lying to a federal officer will severely damage your case.
You Do Not Have to Face This Fear Alone
Preparation is your strongest defense. If you or a loved one are concerned about deportation, or if you need to establish an emergency plan for your family, we are here to help.
At Ponce Law Firm, we aggressively defend our clients in removal proceedings and work tirelessly to keep families together.