Law Office of Steffani Powell

26/01/2026

Dear community members,

If you are detained by ICE, do not sign any documents.

We have received recent reports of coercion, including pressure to sign stipulated orders of removal or voluntary departure documents. You may be told that you do not have the right to a lawyer or that you have no rights in the United States. That is not true.

Do not sign anything. Continue to clearly and calmly ask to speak with an attorney.

If you sign these documents, you will likely be placed on a deportation flight within days. If you do not sign, you will most likely be transferred to a detention center, where you will have the opportunity to speak with a lawyer and appear before an immigration judge.

You have rights. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise.

I choose to remain silent.
I do not agree to sign any documents.
I want to speak with my attorney.

Estimados miembros de la comunidad,

Si es detenido(a) por ICE, NO firme ningún documento.

Hemos recibido reportes recientes de coerción, incluyendo presión para firmar órdenes estipuladas de deportación o documentos de salida voluntaria. Es posible que le digan que no tiene derecho a un abogado o que no tiene derechos en los Estados Unidos. Eso no es cierto.

No firme nada. Siga pidiendo de manera clara y calmada hablar con un abogado.

Si firma estos documentos, es muy probable que lo/la pongan en un vuelo de deportación en cuestión de días. Si no firma, lo más probable es que sea trasladado(a) a un centro de detención, donde tendrá la oportunidad de hablar con un abogado y comparecer ante un juez de inmigración.

Usted tiene derechos. No permita que un oficial de ICE le diga lo contrario.

Elijo permanecer en silencio.
No acepto firmar ningún documento.
Quiero hablar con mi abogado.

13/01/2026

https://iamerica.org/know-your-rights/

Know your rights with iAmerica. Access essential information on your legal rights as an immigrant, including workplace protections, legal support, and how to handle encounters with law enforcement.

10/01/2026

From American Immigration Lawyers Association:

Urge Congress to oppose the reported push for 44,500 immigration detention beds in the FY26 DHS Appropriations Bill. This funding request represents poor stewardship of taxpayer dollars that will primarily enrich private prison corporations and misses a critical opportunity for Congressional oversight.

This funding is unnecessary and duplicative. H.R.1 already allocated $45 billion for expanding immigration detention infrastructure, helping drive the ICE detention population to a record 68,990 individuals. Contrary to claims by the Trump Administration that it targets the “worst of the worst,” of those taken into ICE detention so far in FY26, 92% have no criminal convictions.

Massive growth is funding a dangerous, deadly detention system. Six people died in custody in December 2025 alone, during the deadliest year on record for immigration detention. More beds without accountability will only compound this crisis. Facilities are plagued by inadequate medical care, poor conditions, and abusive behavior by facility staff including sexual assault.

Congress should be conducting oversight, not enabling expansion. As the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee Sen. Murray noted in her recent statement, this moment calls for accountability. It does not call for blank checks. Lawmakers must insist that DHS demonstrate responsible use of the substantial funds already provided before receiving more.

Opposing this appropriation is both substantively sound and strategically important. It establishes that expansion of a deadly, profit-driven system will not proceed without Congressional scrutiny. AILA urges you to oppose additional detention bed funding and to use the appropriations process to demand the oversight and accountability that this moment requires.

We urge Congress to:

Reject any increase in funding for reckless immigration enforcement, including increased funding for ICE detention beds.

Demand oversight and clear guardrails that protect transparency and hold the Administration accountable for their actions.

Hold ICE accountable in providing basic necessities such as safe drinkable water, medical care, and access to counsel.

From me: Defund ICE.

Join me in calling: Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121