It’s no secret that the future of immigrants is the subject of intense national discussion, especially with the Trump administration beginning in 2025. Lisa Seifert, a long-time immigration attorney at Seifert Law Offices in Olympia, says the firm has been busy fielding inquiries from people who are concerned about their or family member’s immigration status or related legal matters.
“I am getting calls constantly,” Seifert says. “People are really nervous. Hearing news accounts of planned actions of the next administration, they are anticipating bad things happening for them.”
Seifert says to remain calm if possible. She offers general guidance while she and other immigration law experts closely track developments and help people navigate the uncertainty.
Seifert Law Offices Recognizes That National Immigration Discussions Spark Worries
Seifert is keenly aware that the current national discussions on immigration are sparking worries among those who are concerned about their or a family member’s immigration status, have applications or appeals pending at federal agencies or the courts, or who have specific questions.
Seifert’s firm has been working to advise and represent clients on immigration legal issues since 1989. Seifert helps clients move through issues that may involve immigration and nationality law, including citizenship, family immigration, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, crime victims’ issues concerning U-Visa and the Violence Against Women Act, waivers and parole.
Several of these and other immigration law topics are also the subject of media coverage and social media comments and discussions. However, Seifert notes that the current attention to many of the issues is not new, such as those involving immigrant workers. “Some people have been attacking immigration for decades,” she says. “It’s popular in a terrible kind of way.”
Seifert Says It’s Important to Understand Some Media Coverage About Possible Immigration Changes is Speculative
Seifert says that some current media coverage of immigration changes in 2025 is speculation. However, she says it is hard for people to sort out what is accurate when they hear about significant matters such as possible mass deportations or eliminating birthright citizenship. “I tell them, it’s true that the government might be able to do the things they are planning to do,” she explains. “But it’s really unlikely, and it’s impossible to do all of them. One good thing about this is that Trump and his people have been terrible at getting laws passed, and many of the proposed changes require laws to be passed in Congress in order to be enacted. They can choose to worry, but it’s not all likely to happen.”
For example, Seifert says that if plans for large deportations of immigrants roll out, it’s likely that the immigration status of people in jail or prison will be looked at first, before other people. “You have to do a lot to come to the attention of (the U.S. Department of) Homeland Security,” she explains. “It’s a huge agency.” As another example, Seifert says proposals to repeal birthright citizenship, a right protected in the Constitution, are quite unlikely to happen, noting that amending the Constitution is very rare.
Seifert Law Firm Predicts Seeing Community Support if Federal Immigration Developments Adversely Impact Clients
Seifert says to remember that, at the end of the day, many of the most drastic projected immigration outcomes did not happen in the past. Examples include the 2017 presidential executive orders and proclamations limiting the entry of immigrants from certain countries, sometimes called the “Muslim travel ban.” People joined together and mounted successful court actions.
“All these people went into action, including me,” she says. “Groups of lawyers and other people went to the airport with laptops, ready to file federal lawsuits immediately if people were not allowed to enter. And the result was that the proposed harm was limited. Bob Ferguson, Washington’s next governor, then as state Attorney General, filed dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration, which stopped so many bad policies. I felt like I had arms around me. There was so much support for what I do. It was heartening, a real groundswell.”
Seifert predicts seeing similar protective efforts if publicly challenged federal immigration changes launch in 2025, noting that many immigrants have lots of community supporters. “Those people are out there and are vocal,” she says. “They can feel nervous, but it’s unlikely super bad things will happen.”
Seifert Suggests Staying Calm While Also Taking Steps Now on Pending Immigration Processes
While Seifert suggests staying calm, she also recommends that those involved in a pending immigration matter or appeal should take steps now to bring those to a completion. “Don’t panic, but if you want to take action to move forward on your immigration process, it is advisable to seek counsel now,” Seifert says. “If you have a situation that you have not taken care of or tried and failed, try again.”
Seifert describes that people trying to work with federal immigration agencies may run into things they don’t understand, and an attorney knowledgeable in immigration laws and rules can make a difference. “You can have something rejected and not understand why or have it rejected for the wrong reasons,” she says. The Seifert Law Offices, recently relocated to the Security Building in downtown Olympia, stands ready to assist clients with their immigration and related legal issues.
Seifert Law Offices
203 E. 4th, Suite 401, Olympia
info@seifertlaw.com
360.357.7087
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