Protests in Los Angeles paralyze the immigration system: USCIS cancels appointments and court hearings

• USCIS cancels immigration appointments
• Protests block federal building
• Immigrants face more uncertainty

According to EFE, since Monday, the federal immigration building in Los Angeles has closed its doors.

The reason: the intense protests over the recent immigration raids.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended all scheduled appointments.

The ones affected: immigrants seeking to regularize their immigration status.

USCIS cancels immigration appointments and sparks frustration

Antonio, a 28-year-old Mexican immigrant, had been waiting eight months for his appointment.

On Monday, when he arrived at the building, he found a closed gate and soldiers guarding the entrance.

“They told us the building is closed because they’re going to clean it,” he told EFE.

But behind that excuse, it was the protests against ICE that set the agenda.

Immigrants resigned to yet another wait

Antonio’s wife, a U.S. citizen, was trying to help him regularize his status.

Both were ready to present their case before USCIS before it canceled the immigration appointments.

“It’s not fair that after waiting so long, now we have to start all over again,” she said.

Other people had been waiting between two and three years for their appointment.

Hearings and immigration procedures frozen

The cancellations affect not only status adjustment procedures.

Immigration court hearings have also been suspended.

Even appointments for U.S. citizenship have been postponed.

Attorney Alex Gálvez confirmed this to EFE.

Growing fear after immigration raids

“Everyone will have to wait a few more months for their appointment to be rescheduled,” he explained.

Gálvez added that some people might view the cancellation of immigration appointments as a positive thing.

In recent weeks, arrests have occurred after immigration hearings.

Many immigrants fear that attending an immigration appointment could expose them to deportation.

The case of Lenier, another affected individual

Lenier, a 32-year-old Nicaraguan asylum seeker, had an appointment the same Monday.

He entered the country 18 months ago.

He belongs to the group of immigrants vulnerable to expedited deportation.

“I’m confused. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he confessed.

Critical conditions in ICE detention centers

Since Friday, the building has been the target of constant protests against ICE.

The National Guard is guarding the entrances with at least two dozen soldiers.

The federal complex also houses ICE offices and detention centers.

On Monday, neither lawyers nor political representatives were allowed inside.

Reports of treatment of detainees

Congressman Jimmy Gómez tried to enter but was turned away.

Gómez denounced concerning conditions inside the ICE detention center.

Overcrowding, lack of water and food, and prolonged confinement in inhumane conditions.

Some detainees are believed to have been held for more than 24 hours in dark rooms.

Prayers and institutional silence

In front of the building, a group of faith leaders gathered in a show of solidarity.

Members of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) organized a vigil.

They prayed for the detainees and called for immigration justice.

USCIS has not issued an official date to resume its public services.