ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida Hispanic leaders have announced the launch of a new identity card program to protect the civil rights of undocumented immigrants.
“It is a card that says, ‘I have a lawyer, don’t talk to me anymore, don’t ask me any questions,’” Attorney Anthony Suarez said.
On Friday, Suarez announced the partnership between his law firm and the nonprofit organization National Hispanic Corporate Achievers.
The IDs will invoke the cardholder’s right to an attorney. Suarez explained that this card will not stop the legal process from unfolding but will protect undocumented immigrants from revealing their citizenship status to law enforcement.
“Once (officers) have the initial stop and that justification, and they start asking you further questions, and the person says, ‘Well, I don’t have a license, I’m from Guatemala, I don’t have my papers.’ Well, now you just put your foot in your mouth, and you heightened a misdemeanor into a felony, and you got problems,” he said.
There will be a QR code on the cards, allowing officers to verify the cardholder’s legal representation. Suarez’s office will provide cardholders with case numbers to prove they have been retained.
“This is a national law that once a person invokes his right to a lawyer, police officers must stop questioning him,” Suarez said.
During an interview with CNN, President Donald Trump’s Border Czar, Tom Homan, said there have been roughly 14,000 migrants arrested so far. While he is not happy with the pace, he said initiatives focused on immigrant rights are impacting their operations.
“Sanctuary cities are making it very difficult to arrest the criminals. For instance, Chicago, very well educated,” Homan said during a Jan. 29 interview with CNN.
“They’ve been educated on how to defy ICE. I’ve seen many pamphlets from many NGOs: ‘Here’s how you escape ICE from arresting you, here’s what you do.’ They call it ‘Know Your Rights,’ I call it ‘how to escape arrest.’”
The cards will cost an administrative fee that has yet to be determined. Chaplain Danny Ramos with National Hispanic Corporate Achievers said they are ready to prepare 5,000 identification cards.
“I have people waiting. I have, right now, out of my office, five people have called that are coming into the office next week to get the card,” he said. “People are becoming aware, and that just goes to show you the fear that people have.”
To apply for a card, contact the National Hispanic Corporate Achievers at 321-356-5596 or visit their website.
