By an Immigrant. And an Immigration Attorney.
I came to this country like many others, full of hope, driven by purpose, and grounded in the belief that the United States offered something sacred: opportunity, fairness, and a shot at something better.
I studied here. I built a life here. I became an attorney to serve others walking the same path. And I did so believing that while the immigration system isn’t perfect, it was built on principles that respected both law and humanity.
But today, I feel deeply unsettled.
In 2025, Congress and the Senate approved a significant increase in funding to ICE—Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Billions of dollars now flow to an agency already armed with broad enforcement powers. This expanded budget means more agents, more raids, more detention beds, and more aggressive action in communities just like mine.
As an immigrant. As a parent. As an attorney. I have to ask:
At what cost?
This Isn’t Just About Policy, It’s About People
When budgets increase, so does action. This isn’t theoretical. We’re already seeing it on the ground.
✅ More workplace raids.
✅ More checkpoints in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods.
✅ More people with minor traffic offenses being detained.
✅ And yes, more fear in homes where children live in silence, terrified their parents may not return after work.
Behind every immigration case is a life in progress, families saving for college, couples planning weddings, students hoping to graduate, workers sending money back home.
What’s happening now threatens more than legal status. It threatens stability, mental health, and the sense of safety that every family deserves.
Let me be clear: we believe in the rule of law.
We believe in legal immigration, in background checks, in fairness, in order.
But what we’re witnessing today isn’t just about enforcing laws. It’s about eroding the sense of dignity that every human being deserves, documented or not.
The Nuance No One Talks About
I understand the frustration many Americans feel with the immigration system.
It’s slow. It’s complex. It’s expensive. It feels broken.
And yes, there are people who abuse it. Just like in any system.
But here’s what’s missing from the conversation:
💡 Most of the people ICE is targeting are not criminals. They’re people who overstayed visas. Asylum seekers. Parents trying to feed their kids. Workers who pay taxes but don’t have papers. Students caught in bureaucracy.
We need better enforcement and better compassion.
We need reform that reflects the reality of modern migration.
We need to stop pretending that fear is a solution to a humanitarian issue.
And most of all, we need to protect those who do follow the law. Who are in the process. Who are trying to make this country stronger, safer, and more beautiful.
So What Can You Do?
If you or someone you love is undocumented, in deportation proceedings, or even waiting for an immigration hearing, now is the time to act.
✅ Know your rights.
✅ Gather your documents.
✅ Talk to an attorney, not TikTok, not Facebook, not your neighbor.
✅ Make sure you have a legal plan in place before ICE shows up at your door.
This budget increase means ICE will be moving faster, with more resources, and fewer constraints.
At R. Patel Law, We Don’t Just Represent Immigrants—We Are Immigrants
We understand the fear because we’ve lived it.
We understand the law because we study it every day.
And we understand the stakes, because behind every case file is a human being with dreams, family, and heart.
If you’re worried about what this new ICE funding means for you or your loved ones, don’t wait.
📞 Call us.
🛡️ We’ll listen. We’ll prepare. And we’ll stand with you.
Because no one should face this system alone.
R. Patel Law – Immigration Defense with Heart. Strategy with Purpose.
You belong. And we’re here to help you stay.
