Immigrants camping outside DHS office in bitter cold because of long wait times
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dozens of immigrants sleep outside of the Department of Homeland Security office on Tyvola Center Drive hoping to be first in line when the doors open.
“Entonces es muy delicado [It is very sensitive],” a man named Juan said. He spoke to us with the help of a translator.
“If you don’t present yourself what they can do is use that against you and pretty much give you an order of deportation depending on your case,” Juan said.
He is one of dozens of immigrants sleeping outside the office waiting for federal immigration check-in appointments. He slept outside in line while his family stayed in the car trying to stay warm just to avoid deportation.
“It’s sad to come here and be treated this way. When you know you are doing the good things, you know you, you behave and you’re doing the right thing, and then you are treated like an animal just left outside in the cold,” Juan said.
Some people we spoke to who didn’t want to appear on camera had an appointment scheduled for Tuesday at 8am. That time came and went, but the immigrant hoping to stay compliant was never called into the office.
Immigrants must complete annual in person check-ins with federal immigration officials to be considered for citizenship. Some people say the process hasn’t always been difficult.
“when Donald Trump, get to be the President. That’s when this started happening.
This hadn’t happened before. I mean, everybody was getting an appointment and checking with ICE very well,” a man from Honduras who didn’t want to share his name said.
Even though temps are dangerously cold, some fear ICE agents more than the winter chill.
“All we can do is support each other. That’s what we do here. We talk to each other, we support each other. We talk about positive things. You know, sometimes we prayed.
We do whatever we can to get by,” Juan said.
Juan and his family finished their check-in Tuesday after sleeping outside for at least two nights. He hopes that when he comes back next year, the process will run smoother. He also says he noticed fewer immigration workers inside the office compared to years past.
WCCB reached out to the regional spokesman and chief of staff for ICE about why there are delays with appointments and whether the agency plans to make any accommodations for people who have been in the bitter cold. As of Tuesday night, neither have answered the inquiry.
