Threats against undocumented immigrants of being reported to ICE for deportation have become increasingly common in the United States, according to immigration attorneys. What many are unaware of is that, in certain cases, victims may be able to receive an immigration benefit that allows them to initiate legal protection proceedings.
In this new installment of Immigration and Your Rights, experts explain how these threats work, what legal remedies exist and what options affected immigrants may have.
Attorneys Report Increase in ICE-Related Threats Buzzy
According to testimonies of lawyers consulted by Hispanic media, complaints of threats to call ICE have increased during the first months of Donald Trump’s administration in his second presidential term that began in January 2025.
“Give or take, I would say 20% of our cases have involved threats of this type, especially in family situations, where a spouse or partner uses intimidation to maintain control,” commented immigration attorney Leslie Reyes.
Attorney César Montoya agrees with that perception: “I can say an estimate that, in the seven months that President Trump has been in office, about 15% or 20% of my clients have reported this type of threat.
Although official data do not yet confirm a documented increase, specialists point out that they receive hundreds of queries on social networks every time they address this issue, reflecting the growing concern in the immigrant community.
Can these threats open the door to immigration status?
Experts clarify that undocumented immigrants who are victims of threats linked to physical or psychological abuse or exploitation may have legal alternatives to regularize their status.
One of them is the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program, which protects victims of domestic violence.
Although its name suggests that it applies only to women, the law also covers men and same-sex couples.
“With VAWA, the abuse can be psychological or verbal, and those threats of ‘I’m going to report you to immigration’ are part of a pattern of psychological abuse,” Reyes explained.
“We see it in couples who refuse to help their spouse with an immigration process to keep it under control.”
This immigration benefit allows an application to be filed without the need for the abuser, whether citizen or resident, to intervene in the process.
T Visa: an option for victims of labor exploitation
Another alternative for those facing threats of deportation in contexts of labor abuse is the T Visa, intended for victims of human trafficking or exploitation in the workplace.
According to Montoya, this option applies when the employer uses the worker’s immigration status to intimidate him or her, such as in cases where wages are withheld, abusive working hours are imposed, or ICE is threatened to be called if the person complains.
To strengthen the application for a T Visa, it is recommended to have:
A written testimony with details of the abuse.
A psychological evaluation to confirm the impact.
Statements from co-workers supporting the case.
This immigration benefit also protects those who suffer severe exploitation and collaborate with authorities in the investigation of these crimes.
What you should know if you are threatened with a call to ICE
Attorneys remind that threats to call ICE should not be taken lightly.
In addition to being a form of psychological violence, they can be a key element in accessing legal protections.
In both family and employment settings, there are programs that offer immigration relief to victims of abuse.
Although many undocumented immigrants are afraid to come forward for fear of deportation, experts insist that the law may be on their side.
The key is to document the facts, seek legal advice as soon as possible, and know that both VAWA and the T Visa can be valid resources for dealing with these situations.
This article was originally published in Nueva News.
