Editor’s note: This article addresses legal issues, but is not intended as legal advice. Lea este artículo en español aquí.
The Latino Coalition of San Benito County hosted a session with more than 30 community members who heard about their rights from two immigration lawyers.
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Red card on one’s rights by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. It was held in Spanish on Dec. 20 at the Strada Verde Information Center near downtown Hollister. It featured attorneys Lizett Rodriguez Peña and Blanca Zarazúa. Attendees were given a red card by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center outlining their constitutional rights in English and Spanish.
Maricela Camarillo, who came with her sister-in-law, said it was interesting to get information directly from immigration attorneys.
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Red card on one’s rights by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. “Es importante para la comunidad hispana porque mucha gente tiene miedo, tenemos miedo y estas juntas nos ayudan poco más,” she said. (“It’s important for the Hispanic community because a lot of people are scared, and these types of sessions help us a little more.”)
Several event attendees were familiar because they had also previously participated in BenitoLink’s Spanish-speaking listening sessions held in 2023.
Rodriguez Peña gave an overview of the rights residents have when encountering immigration officials.
She advised attendees to not run from officials if they witness arrests at work, to exercise their right to remain silent if questioned, and to ask to speak to their lawyer.
“Básicamente están dando su estatus al correr,” she said. “Manténganse tranquilos.” (“You’re basically giving your legal status by running. Stay calm.”)
She also advised attendees that, if they are arrested or taken to a detention center, not to sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer—even if an official says it’ll speed up the process of their release from custody.
“Muchas veces ese documento es una orden de deportación voluntaria,” Rodriguez Peña dijo. “Básicamente, tu firmaste [de rendir] tus derechos de tener una audiencia con un juez de la corte de immigracion.” (“Many times that document is a voluntary deportation order. Basically, you sign to give up your right to have a hearing with an immigration court judge.”)
When it comes to immigration officers knocking on someone’s door, she said, people have the right to not open the door, to ask for identification or a badge, and to verify that a warrant has been signed by a judge.
“Si está firmado por un oficial de inmigración no es valido esa orden,” Rodriguez Peña said. “Técnicamente no te pueden arrestar con esa orden o buscar tu casa hasta que agarren un warrant, un permiso.” (“If it’s signed by an immigration official, the order is not legal. They cannot arrest you with that order or look around the house without a warrant.”)
As an example of the importance of verifying documents and speaking to a lawyer, she said a Salinas man was arrested and spent about two weeks in a detention center. He was released only after showing that the arrest order, which had his photo, did not have his name.
Rodriguez Peña also spoke about the impact of a criminal record on immigration status and asylums.
Zarazúa, who used a Mixteco interpreter for a part of her presentation, provided an overview of the tools available for people to gain legal residence and citizenship. She spoke about which family members are eligible to sponsor visas and discussed filing for visas from outside the country.
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Immigration attorney Blanca Zarazúa shows the attendees a photo of her dad, Aquilino Zarazúa, who was an immigrant and faced deportation. Photo by Noe Magaña. -
An attendee looks over the handouts provided at the “conozca sus derechos” event held by the Latino Coalition of San Benito County. Photo by Noe Magaña. -
Immigration attorneys Lizett Rodriguez Peña (left) and Blanca Zarazúa answer questions by attendees. Photo by Noe Magaña. -
The Latino Coalition of San Benito County held a “conozca sus derechos” (know your rights) session in which two immigration attorneys provided information to the public. Photo by Noe Magaña.
She shared several of her cases, including one of a man who had spent 20 years on the process to acquire his residency visa.
“Fue algo muy lindo porque una está realmente impactando a las familias,” Zarazúa said. (“It was heartwarming because we are really helping families.”)
She said she shared her clients’ stories to show there are ways to gain legal status, but emphasized that residents need to consult immigration lawyers.
She said she recently got a call from a friend who said his brother got advice from a notary at a tax business. She said her friend, a father of three children who are citizens and also a husband to a legal resident, traveled to Mexico for a hearing and received a 10-year ban from re-entering the United States.
“Nadamas por que la persona habla inglés nuestra gente piensa ‘a, ellos saben,’ pero no saben,” Zarazúa said. (“Just because they speak English, our people think ‘they know’ but they don’t.”)
Latino Coalition of San Benito County President Mickie Solorio Luna said the event was held because the nonprofit has received calls from community members who are concerned about possible changes when President-Elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
She said calls ranged from growers wanting to help their employees to students scared to provide any information that can implicate family members.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from,” Solorio said. “It’s not just Mexico, not just [Latin America]. There are a lot of people in this community that need help, so we are just here to facilitate sessions like this.”
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