WESLACO -

A Rio Grande Valley congressman is now confirming that the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration Customs Enforcement will start deporting families who crossed the border illegally last year.

Congressman Henry Cuellar confirmed the deportations will affect adults and children who immigration judges have ordered to be removed. Local attorneys and advocates said it’s fine if the deportations happen, as long as those families get due process.

The Valley remains a hotspot for illegal immigration. People who crossed the border last summer will be deported.

Immigration attorney Carlos Garcia said he hopes those removed from the country understand why this is happening.

“If they don't abide by those rules because it's a blatant disregard of the law… they're going to be subject to consequences,” Garcia said. “But we have to inform them accurately.”

Border Patrol said misinformation starts in the foreigners’ home countries. Garcia said the confusion continues when the immigrants receive manila folders with a date and address to appear for an appointment.

“A lot of the people who have those appointments think that, at that moment in time, they're going to see an immigration judge,” Garcia said. “That is absolutely incorrect.”

The foreigners receive an appointment for an interview with an immigration officer. The court order shows up later in the mail.

“If they don't do that, we receive the letter from ICE stating that they're supposed to show up,” said Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.

Catholic Charities volunteers encourage people to go to court and try to guide them as much as possible.

A Honduran woman told CHANNEL 5 NEWS she wants to plea her case to a judge, so she can stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

“They gave me some documents and told me that they would give me the court date the day I go before immigration officials,” the woman said.

Sister Norma Pimentel and attorney Carlos Garcia said they fear confusion could lead to deportations.

“We have to help them understand a bus ticket,” Pimentel said. “Can you imagine the whole court system and how it works here? They need legal representation. Unfortunately, they don't have that.”

“We're not doing a very good job of informing people about the process,” Garcia said.

Deportations of families could start as soon as January. It is unknown how many people are facing deportation.

Congressman Cuellar sent CHANNEL 5 NEWS this statement:

“DHS and ICE will begin deporting families who illegally entered the United States beginning last year. Here in South Texas, we witnessed first-hand as tens of thousands of immigrants made their way to the border. The government, charitable organizations and the community stepped up to help these immigrants when they first arrived. These families have had the opportunity to explain their cases and any dangers they may be facing back home in their country to an immigration judge in federal court. For these families, the court has ruled that they cannot stay in the United States. DHS will therefore be complying with these orders. Understandably, this is a very difficult situation for all parties involved. I continue to advocate for more U.S. funding for Central America and Mexico in order to combat violence and drug trafficking in those countries as a way of making sure people there are safe and able to live peacefully. We need to work more closely with our neighbors to the south to deter families and individuals from making these very dangerous journeys to the United States.”

http://m.krgv.com/news/DHS-Will-Start-Deporting-Families-Who-Crossed-Border-Illegally/37125914