Protecting Your Status: The Critical Need for Counsel Amid New DHS "Rescreening" Mandates
- 21 minutes ago
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The landscape of U.S. immigration law has shifted overnight. A newly released memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unprecedented authority to arrest and detain refugees who have already been legally admitted to the United States.
Under this new policy, dubbed "Operation Parris," the government aims to conduct aggressive "rescreening" of thousands of individuals. For those settled in our communities, this isn't just a policy change—it is a direct threat to your liberty and your future in America.
The DHS Rescreening Memo: What You Need to Know
The February 19, 2026, memo reverses years of established protocol. It specifically targets refugees who have been in the country for at least one year but have not yet secured their Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status.
Understanding "Operation Parris"
This initiative allows federal agents to:
Arrest Legally Admitted Refugees: Even if you entered the country legally and have followed every rule, you may be subject to arrest.
Indefinite Detention: The memo suggests that individuals can be held in custody for the "duration of the inspection and examination process," which could last months or longer.
Intensive Re-Verification: Claims that were already vetted and approved during your initial entry are being reopened for "intensive verification."
The High Stakes of the "Conditional" Admission
The administration is now arguing that refugee admission is merely "conditional" and subject to a mandatory review. This aggressive interpretation of the law ignores the settled expectations of thousands of families. Without a sophisticated legal defense, refugees caught in this net face a system designed to find reasons for revocation rather than pathways to stay.
Why Professional Representation is Your Only Shield
In an environment where policy can change via a single internal memo, "doing it yourself" is no longer a viable option for most. The complexities of "Operation Parris" require a representative who understands the litigation side of immigration.
Countering Illegal Detentions
As seen in recent court battles in Minnesota, federal judges have begun to push back against these sweeping arrests. However, you cannot benefit from these rulings unless you have an attorney to file the necessary motions, such as a Habeas Corpus petition, to challenge your detention.
Navigating the "Aggressive" Interview
The "rescreening" interviews are not standard check-ins. They are adversarial examinations designed to find inconsistencies in your original claim. At the Law Office of Andrew R. Sones, we prepare our clients for these high-stakes encounters, ensuring your rights are protected and your story is told accurately and legally.
Don't Wait for a Knock at the Door
If you or a loved one are in the U.S. on refugee status and have not yet obtained a Green Card, the time to secure counsel is now. The government is moving with startling speed, retrofitting warehouses into detention centers and deploying thousands of agents.
Learn more about our Green Card and Permanent Residency services to secure your status before a rescreening occurs.
Understand your rights during an ICE encounter to prepare yourself and your family.
Secure Your Future
Our firm brings "lived experience" of immigration and will fight for your rights in every case we handle. We don’t just fill out forms; we fight for your right to remain in the country you now call home.
