U.S. Homeland Security seems to be back in full force for the new year. Last week, several Marshallese residents in Springdale were taken into custody by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a division of Homeland Security). We cannot confirm the number of people at this time, but it is possible that as many as 20 people have been taken into custody and sent to Oakdale, Louisiana to await deportation hearings. Unlike other court trials, people are not granted a public defense. Arkansas Justice Reform Coalition, Arkansas Immigrant Aid, and ACOM are working to find legal representation for the Marshallese in custody now.
Former Consul General Eldon Alik says the Marshallese deported are products of the U.S. system and should be rehabilitated here.
Through the Compact of Free Association, Marshallese residents live in the United States either as non-immigrant residents (or resident aliens) or citizens (if born in the US). Resident aliens can be deported after being convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that fits the definition of a crime of “moral turpitude.” Crimes that have led to deportations for Marshallese range from violent assaults and public drunkenness.
ICE can pick people up months or years after an offense. According to the Office of Homeland Immigrant Statistics, these are the number of noncitizens removed back to the Marshall Islands: 34 in 2016, 19 in 2017, 38 in 2018, 31 in 2019, and 17 in 2020.
Speaking with former Consul General Eldon Alik, many offenses involve substance use like repeat DUI’s. While drunkenness seems like a small mistake, drinking and driving is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” because of the high risk of killing.
While in office, CG Alik advocated against Springdale’s participation in the ICE 287(g) program. Arguing that many of these offenders being deported, having grown up in the United States, should be rehabilitated here where they have family and roots: “I’ve seen a lot of kids who came here when they were 2 and when they’re 18 they commit a little crime and they get sent back home to nobody. …And then there’s [people who] committed a crime when they were 18 and they’re now in their 30s and 40s and they’ve completely changed. They’re church people and they do a lot in the community. Then they get stopped on the street and because of a crime they did 20 years ago they’re being sent back home. They have all their families here.” He emphasized that “this country has an obligation to my people and they’re sending them back home to an island that is contaminated. ..Please give us a chance to redeem ourselves.”
In his time working in the Consulate, Eldon says he wrote many letters in defense of men facing deportation some with children here that they work to support. According to their website, ICE identifies all aliens in jails and prisons in the United States, and takes a risk-based approach to deportation proceedings. Past Springdale police chief O’Kelley, explained that the decision to begin deportation proceedings doesn’t come from her department but Enforcement and Removal (ICE) does have access to the police department’s booking reports.
As reported by RNZ, Marshall Islands Deputy Police Commissioner Eric Jorbon said that people being deported from the US have not broken any laws in the Marshall Islands and “return home as free people.” However, Dr Holden Nena, the clinical director for the Human Services Division at the Ministry of Health and Human Services, said his office provides assistance to a number of people who were deported and have various behavioral health symptoms. These people need help to reintegrate into a country that most have not lived in for many years, but there is no system in place to assist them in the transition. They also cannot return to the United States without applying first, a cost of $500, and only after ten years.
What do you need to know if officers come to your home?
ACOM posted this video where Attorney Leo Tucker, with Arkansas Immigrant Aid, explains: “if police or anyone claiming to be police come to your house, it’s very important that you know your rights. Even if you are not a US citizen, you have rights in the United States.” Immigration officials might show a document that looks like a warrant but unless it is a warrant for arrest signed by a judge they cannot enter your home. You do not have to answer any of their questions except if they ask what your name is. If officials come to your door and present a document, take a picture through the glass and text ACOM 479-259-2487.
Aurok bwe kwon jela ta Jimwe im Maron ko am ilo DEPORTATION elanne ICE ak Immigration & Custom Enforcement ro rej iwoj nan mweo imom. Elap an aurok bwe kwon jab kobellok kojam eo elanne ejjelok Warrant ak elanne riab in warrant men eo ippeir. Ebar aurok bwe kwon ikōñ wot im jab uwaak kajjitok ko aer. Kajjitok eo de eo komaron uwaake ej kajjitok eo kon etam. Ba nan opijja ro bwe ren kōjede iki waj warrant eo ilo winto eo ak kilaaj eo, lale bwe kwoj jab kobellok kejem eo. Text tok juon pija in warrant eo rej kwalok waj nan numba in bwe jen lale mool in ke warrant. Numba eo in ej : 479-259-2487.