MIAMI - President-elect Donald Trump's platform on immigration has instilled plenty of fear among immigrants in the U.S., including South Florida.
Employees at immigration offices said they have been bombarded with legal questions.
"(I've received) 50 phone calls a day from very, very frantic people," immigration attorney Antonio Revilla said.
Revilla said the phone calls have ramped up since election night.
Potential and current clients are asking him what will happen once Trump is in the White House.
He said it's complete panic from people who fear that Trump will follow through on his immigration promises.
"He can undo executive action," Revilla said.
Trump can undo things like DACA, which protects immigrant children from deportation who came to the U.S. at an early age.
Obama already has his priorities set when it comes to those whom the government deports, and usually criminals go first.
"If it goes back to placing more people in these proceedings, then the question is, are there enough immigration judges for that? And there aren't," Revilla said.
Revilla said he is telling his clients that "nothing is changing right now, but we should try and take advantage of the benefits that do exist right now in case things are changed."
Revilla said the government will likely allow people to be grandfathered in if they start the process to citizenship now, even if things change.
He reminds his clients that immigration has due process, so undocumented immigrants can often linger for years while their cases are resolved.
"This is the time I've seen people most concerned," Revilla said.
By Hatzel Vela - Reporter
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REVILLA LAW FIRM, P.A.
Miami immigration attorneys
Antonio G. Revilla III is a Former U.S. Immigration Prosecutor and a Miami immigration attorney with 25 years of legal experience. Mr. Revilla has appeared on numerous television and radio programs to discuss important immigration issues that affect our South Florida community and beyond.
If you have any questions about an immigration issue or wish to speak with Mr. Revilla, contact Revilla Law Firm, P.A., to schedule a free in-office immigration consultation.
Call (305) 858-2323 or toll free (877) 854-2323
