A wave of panic has swept through the Spokane community after numerous individuals received alarming letters from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, instructing them to leave the United States.
Olga Lucia Herrera, a community liaison at the Spokane Immigrant Rights Coalition, reported at least 20 people have been affected by the letters, which, disturbingly, are not addressed to any specific individuals.
The letters begin with a blunt message: “It is time for you to leave the United States.”
The situation is exacerbated by the ongoing stringent measures taken by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws.
Jason Givens, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), clarified that the agency has issued notices terminating the parole of certain individuals residing in the country without lawful status.
Parole allows some immigrants to stay temporarily while their applications for legal status are pending, as they have to check in regularly with immigration officials.
However, Givens highlighted that the letters do not apply to those paroled under current humanitarian programs, specifically U4U, which assists Ukrainian refugees, or OAW, which aids Afghan refugees.
He stated, “To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilege – not a right. We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly.”
Luis Cortes, an attorney at Novo Legal LLC in Seattle, explained that the initial parole programs involved specific groups, notably Afghans and Ukrainians, before being expanded by the Biden administration to include individuals from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
Cortes noted, “This was Biden’s approach to try to stop the surge of people coming from the southern border, where we started seeing many individuals arriving from these nations.
“The idea is that instead of crossing the border without detection, they would be processed by CBP after voluntarily turning themselves in.
Once they are in the system, they undergo background checks and seek a sponsor in the U.S. before possibly being granted a one-year parole, which can be renewed.
Alternatively, many apply for asylum once in the United States, although not everyone does.
The confusion and chaos stemming from the issuance of these letters seems to be part of a broader trend within the administration, according to Cortes.
Adding to the confusion, reports have surfaced that U.S. citizens and legal residents, including immigration attorneys, have also received the disconcerting letters.
Aaron Korthuis, a staff attorney at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, mentioned that several immigration attorneys in Washington received the letters despite their legal status.
He remarked, “Knowing that immigration attorneys are receiving this letter undermines the parole process, and it is puzzling to see them included in this situation.”
Micheroni, an attorney based in Boston, expressed her frustration upon receiving a letter directed to her instead of to someone she represented.
Givens from CBP acknowledged the potential for mix-ups in communication, stating that notices were sent using known email addresses of individuals identified as aliens.
If nonpersonal emails, like those belonging to U.S. citizens, were provided, it could have resulted in unintended recipients receiving the notifications.
“CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis,” Givens assured.
In response to the chaotic situation, Herrera has reached out to U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner to voice the concerns of the affected community members.
In her letter, she pointed out that most individuals receiving these notices never had legal parole status or any documentation proving such status.
She emphasized that many are asylum seekers, individuals with pending immigration relief, or undocumented residents who have lived in the U.S. peacefully for years.
An official for Rep. Baumgartner confirmed he was unavailable for comment regarding this issue.
Amid this confusion, Cortes provided essential advice for those affected: People should consult with legal professionals before making any decisions regarding their immigration status.
He stressed the significance of seeking accurate guidance tailored to individual circumstances, noting that there is “nothing illegal” about the entry of many who received the letters.
Cortes added, “They applied with the government, entered the country legally, and there’s nothing about the word ‘illegal’ that remotely fits in here, but the Trump administration is demonstrating a troubling disregard for accuracy in these matters.”
Ultimately, the situation underscores a growing tension surrounding immigration policies and the significant uncertainty faced by many individuals trying to navigate the complex immigration landscape.
image source from：https://www.cascadepbs.org/news/2025/04/wa-asylum-seekers-lawyers-receive-emails-ordering-they-leave-us
