Latest news with #JoseOsorio
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
ICE raids driving communities into hiding, evident by empty LA restaurants, shops
The Brief Fear of deportation and immigration raids is causing a significant decline in business and foot traffic in Latino communities in the San Fernando Valley. Business owners and workers are taking drastic measures, such as selling possessions, due to anxiety about potential deportation. Immigration attorney Jose Osorio highlights the widespread fear and its impact on daily life, businesses, and community events. LOS ANGELES - In the San Fernando Valley, fear is rippling through Latino communities—impacting businesses, families, and workers alike. Abe, a business owner who asked us to protect his identity, says foot traffic at his flooring store has slowed to a near standstill. "It's very slow… a lot of people are afraid. Very, very slow," he says. "They're afraid to come into the store, afraid to go to Home Depot. I'm losing customers. I'm losing my own installer—because they're afraid to go to certain areas and get caught." Abe owns a flooring company and says the climate of fear has led some workers to take drastic steps. "Some of the workers are selling their cars, their tools, their furniture—just to cash out before they get caught and lose everything," he says. Inside his store, he gestures toward the empty showroom. "As you can see, it's empty in here. Nobody's here. People don't want to spend money. And the Latino community—they're very good spenders, but nobody's out shopping." The fear sparked by mass deportations, targeted workplace ICE raids, and random immigration stops is driving many into hiding—keeping them from everyday routines like shopping, working, or even taking their kids to school. At Panadería La Colmena in North Hollywood, owner Avenidad Vázquez is also feeling the impact. He says baked goods that would normally sell out early now sit untouched. In Spanish, he explains why there are few shoppers: "Fear… the fear that they're going to get caught." That fear is visible in other corners of the Valley. At a local Home Depot, fewer day laborers are showing up. One worker tells us, "You step outside with fear and anxiety." Another says he feels constantly on edge. "I'm filled with anxiety that ICE could take me away at any moment—but I have no choice. I need to work." Immigration attorney Jose Osorio says the fear is justified—and growing. "What is happening now is terrible, unprecedented, and a manufactured crisis that is causing fear throughout the community," Osorio says. He explains that even individuals with work permits and no criminal record—many whose immigration cases were closed over a decade ago—are now receiving letters to appear in court for possible deportation. "It's no surprise people are afraid to go about their daily lives," he says. And the effects stretch beyond individual households. "Businesses are being affected, as well as families, communities, graduation ceremonies. What we're seeing is widespread concern," Osorio adds. "Employers are telling me their workers are calling in—too afraid to come to work and rightfully so."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Viral TikTok warns green card holders after woman says her niece was deported at LAX
The Brief A viral TikTok is warning green card holders after a woman said her niece was deported at LAX. Others are warning against signing form I-407, which an immigration attorney says forfeits your rights. Customs officials are only allowed to ask you about your identity, your permanent resident status, and about what you're carrying. LOS ANGELES - A viral TikTok video is serving as a warning for green card holders about what not to do at the airport, after a woman claims her niece had her green card taken away at LAX. Now, advocates are offering tips to help green card holders know their rights, and what not to do if you're traveling abroad. The backstory In a now-viral TikTok video that has more than 2.5 million views, a woman claims her niece, a nursing student and green card holder, was deported when she returned to LAX from Laos. "Customs stopped her, took away her green card, cut the corner off, put her in a room with three other people, and told one of them that if you've been a green card holder for less than two years and leave the U.S. they won't let you back," the woman claims. "They take away your green card." What we know Immigration attorney Jose Osorio, who is not involved in the woman's case, explains that green card holders can typically travel abroad for up to 180 days without issue. However, he warns that some travelers have been pressured upon reentry into the U.S. to sign documents like the I-407. Form I-407 is issued by the Department of Homeland Security. It's called a "Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status" Filling out the I-407 voluntarily surrenders your lawful status as a permanent resident of the U.S. "They can be interrogated alone, without legal counsel, and sometimes, due to misinformation or desperation, they unknowingly sign away their rights," Osorio said. Many on social media are warning against signing the form. "If they ask you to sign an I-407, don't do it," one man advises. "You have the right to request to see an immigration judge." Another person adds, "So many people sign documents without reading them. That's why I'm putting this out today—make sure you don't sign anything." Dig deeper Osorio stresses that many travelers have unknowingly forfeited their rights. He says that customs officials are only authorized to ask three types of questions: Identity Proof of permanent resident status Standard customs-related questions, such as whether a traveler is bringing foreign food into the country or carrying more than $10,000 in currency. "Bottom line—know your rights," Osorio said. "Don't sign anything waiving them. If you don't understand it, don't sign it." Only an immigration judge has the authority to revoke a person's resident status. However, if someone signs away their rights at the airport, there is little that can be done to reverse it. FOX 11 has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment, but they have not responded. The Source Information in this story is taken from the I-407 form on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, and a Feb. 20 interview with immigration attorney Jose Osorio.
