Know Your Rights Forum Urges Immigrants to Seek Legal Help Before It's Too Late

NEW YORK — What do you do if a masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent arrests you? Can you ask the agent to remove the mask? If the officer refuses to identify himself, could the encounter be construed as kidnapping?

Those were among the questions I posed to immigration attorney Marlene Sanchez during the "Know Your Rights, Protect Your Future" community forum held at the Philippine Center in New York on the evening of June 24.

Like many in the audience, I hoped the forum would provide a practical step-by-step guide on what individuals should do when confronted by ICE agents during immigration enforcement operations.

Sanchez, an immigration lawyer based in Newark, New Jersey, said her office has been overwhelmed with immigration-related cases, including incidents involving what she described as procedural lapses, such as the detention of U.S. citizens.

According to Sanchez, immigration enforcement today differs significantly from deportation operations under previous administrations.

"They were more careful in implementing removal procedures before," she observed.

As journalists covering immigration issues, many of us have noticed the same shift.

Now more than ever, Sanchez advised, immigrants should keep the contact information of a trusted attorney readily available on their phones.

Fellow attorney Joseph Ciaccio encouraged attendees to seek legal advice even in situations involving statutes of limitations. He explained that courts strive to balance fairness with the availability of credible evidence, making timely legal consultation essential.

The forum featured Sanchez, Ciaccio, and attorney Tia Garcia of Napoli Shkolnik Attorneys at Law. Discussions covered a wide range of legal issues, including immigration, medical malpractice, workplace injuries, accidents, and negligence claims.

Beyond answering legal questions, the event sought to encourage community members to overcome fear and consult qualified attorneys before problems become more complicated.

Sanchez, founder and managing attorney of Sanchez Law Group LLC in Newark, practices immigration, criminal, and traffic law in New Jersey, New York, and before immigration courts throughout the United States and its territories.

As the daughter of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, she said she is deeply committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, particularly where language barriers and the intersection of criminal and immigration law create additional challenges.

Napoli Shkolnik Attorneys at Law handles cases involving employment discrimination, workplace injuries, slip-and-fall accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, nursing home negligence, and motor vehicle accidents. The firm says it has recovered more than $20 billion for clients and maintains offices in Manhattan and Long Island.

Hosted by Kat Suarez, the forum was organized by the Friends of the Philippines Society USA, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, and the Asian American Business Center.

Vice Consul Pete dela Fuente welcomed attendees on behalf of Consul General Senen Mangalile, emphasizing the importance of legal education in helping immigrants understand their rights and gain access to legal assistance.

Event organizers Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue said the gathering was intended to be more than a legal seminar.

"It is a gathering of friends from all walks of life on a shared journey toward empowerment and understanding," they said.

The discussion came amid heightened public attention on immigration enforcement.

Earlier this year, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued an executive order restricting ICE agents from entering certain city-owned properties including schools, hospitals, and shelters without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

"When we know our rights, we gain the confidence and power to protect our future," Josue told attendees.

The Friends of the Philippines Society USA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering New York's diverse communities through culture, the arts, and civic engagement. Last November, it presented Yaman (Treasure), a three-day Philippine trade and cultural exhibition at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The organization plans to bring the Yaman exhibit to Union Square Park in October.