Over the past few months, Arizona Border Patrol agents have been encountering large groups of immigrants composed of family units. Instead of running away from agents to enter the country illegally, immigrants are now surrendering themselves and seeking asylum.
ICE has been releasing large number of immigrants from their custody to non-government organizations (NGOs) to provide temporary shelter, food, and assistance. They are required to wear ankle monitors and tell the agency where they are going.
According to Lucero, more than 95% of the immigrants are not staying in Arizona. Most of them are heading east of the state, generally to the East Coast. He added that ICE gives them notices to appear in the city where they are going within 7 to 10 days following their release.
Additionally, he said it takes several years for the USCIS to process asylum application. As a result, asylum seekers fall out of their radar. They may get a final hearing to see an immigration judge after two or three years of their release from custody. However, an asylum seeker “may not show up” because that he/she feels that the immigration judge will deny his/her application.
