The Department of Homeland Security is dealing with a high volume of letters instructing American citizens to depart the country promptly.
Harriet Steele was left in utter disbelief when the federal agency told her, “It is time for you to leave the United States.”
That’s because Steele, who is an immigration lawyer, was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to two American parents.
In the email that was sent on April 10, DHS said Steele needed to “leave immediately on your own.
“DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States – the federal government will find you.”
The lawyer said that she was “startled” by the letter, which threatened prosecution if she didn’t follow the strict warning, she told KTLA.
Then, she thought the letter may have been intended for one of her clients, but there was no way for her to get answers.
“There’s no identifying information about how the intended recipient is,” she told the outlet.
Receiving such communications can be particularly frightening for individuals who lack the advantages I have – like having gone to law school or being born in the US to American parents.
In a statement given to The US Sun, Customs and Border Protection admitted that some American citizens have been wrongfully told to leave the US.
The agency said it is sending out warnings to any known email addresses used by illegal immigrants.
A representative mentioned that if the contact information given by the foreign individual is not a personal email but belongs to an American citizen, these notifications might have reached the wrong people.
While admitting the possible mistake, CBP insisted that any illegal immigrant who received a message should take the letter seriously.
“To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilege – not a right,” said the statement.
“We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly.”
Steele said that her office was going to continue its work despite any threatening messages from DHS or President Donald Trump’s leadership.
“I’m aghast to think that anyone would get an email like this, US citizen or not,” she said.
How does the US visa system work?
The US currently offers a range of visas for foreigners who want to live and work in the country, each with its own set of requirements and limitations.
Broadly, visas fall into two categories: non-immigrant visas, which are temporary and typically issued for work, study, or tourism, and immigrant visas, which provide a pathway to permanent residency (a Green Card).
For those seeking long-term residency, the Green Card application process can be rigorous and time-consuming, often taking years.
Some applicants obtain Green Cards through family sponsorship, employer sponsorship, or humanitarian programs such as refugee or asylum status.
Others may qualify through investment-based programs like the EB-5 visa, which allows individuals to apply for permanent residency if they invest a significant amount of money in a US business and create jobs.
Nonimmigrant visas, on the other hand, include work-based visas such as the H-1B for skilled workers, L-1 for intra-company transfers, and O-1 for individuals with extraordinary abilities.
Many of these visas have strict eligibility criteria and annual caps, making them highly competitive.
The complexity and length of the US immigration process mean that many foreign nationals face long wait times and significant legal hurdles before securing the right to live and work in the country permanently.
‘LOWEST CROSSINGS IN HISTORY’
The White House has praised the success of Trump’s “promise to make America safe again” with a tense border crackdown.
In Texas border towns, locals reporting that illegal crossings have come to a grinding halt, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“The door is closed,” said Yorman Briceño, who is staying outside El Paso.
“There’s no more hope for entering legally as long as Donald Trump is there, and anyone telling you otherwise is lying.”
One solution that Trump has given immigrants is a bizarre $5 million gold card that will get mega rich foreigners into the US.
