The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mistakenly sent deportation notices to several US citizens, including immigration attorneys and a doctor. These notices, which ordered recipients to leave the US within seven days, were intended for individuals whose parole status was being terminated.
At least three US citizens – an attorney in Los Angeles, an attorney in Massachusetts, and a doctor in Connecticut – received the erroneous notices. The notices were sent via email and contained threats of criminal prosecution, civil fines, and penalties if the recipients failed to comply.
The DHS attributed the error to the use of incorrect email addresses provided by immigrants. The agency stated that if a non-personal email address, such as a US citizen's email, was given, the notices may have been inadvertently sent to unintended recipients. The agency indicated that it is addressing issues on a case-by-case basis.
This incident comes amidst the Trump administration's efforts to revoke the legal status and work authorization of migrants who entered the US using the Biden-era border appointment app. Over 900,000 people were paroled into the country under this program, and the impact of the administration's actions is still unclear. Furthermore, the administration revoked parole for over 500,000 individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, although a federal judge has since halted these terminations.
The erroneous notices have sparked fear and concern among immigrants and legal professionals. Some immigrants are choosing to self-deport rather than risk facing deportation proceedings. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has issued a practice alert regarding the notices, expressing uncertainty about the number of individuals impacted and appropriate next steps.