Immigrants Who Came to Texas to Legally Work Ordered to Leave

 Posted on May 07, 2025 in Immigration

A young couple who fled violence in their home country of Haiti came to Panhandle, TX in 2023 for the dream of a better life. They were sponsored by a Panhandle family, and their immigration process was entirely legal. The couple were given at least two years to stay and work in the United States as they worked to complete the process of obtaining a green card.

Unfortunately, this couple, like hundreds of thousands of others, received word in March that their work permits would end on April 24th. Many immigrants like this couple find themselves in a similar situation. They are unsure of whether they should stay, risking arrest and deportation that could separate their families, or leave on their own, returning to a home country they fled due to violence and poverty.

If you are facing a similar situation and are unsure what you should do, it can be extremely helpful to speak to an experienced Plano, TX immigration attorney. Your attorney can answer your questions, file any necessary paperwork, and help you understand your options.   

The Role of Immigrants in the Texas Panhandle

The husband in the couple mentioned above drives a truck, transporting goods across the state, while his wife works two food service jobs. The area known as the Panhandle (which includes the town of Panhandle) is no stranger to immigrants who have been coming to the area for generations. Many of these immigrants work in the huge meatpacking plants in the area that exist because of the state’s status as the nation’s top meat producer.

In fact, as many as half of all workers in the meatpacking industry are foreign-born. The Panhandle plants were originally dominated by Mexicans and Central Americans fleeing poverty and violence across the globe but now have a widely diverse group of immigrant workers. The pay starts at $23 an hour, and English skills are not as important because the constant noise of the machines means communication is done through hand signals.

How Many Immigrants Here on Temporary Visas Will Be Affected?

Some two million immigrants are legally in the U.S. on some type of temporary status, including a work visa. Many have fled troubled countries. The White House informed more than 500,000 Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, and Haitians that their legal work status would end on April 24th, although a judge has temporarily put that date on hold.

Another 500,000 Haitians are scheduled to lose a different protected status in August. Many immigrants who came legally, worked steadily, paid taxes, and never received government assistance do not understand the immigration crackdown. Others are here legally on student visas and on H1-B visas that provide the U.S. labor market with skilled workers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.  

What Happens During Detention?

Many immigrants are held in a detention facility while their status is reviewed. Detention centers are much like jails. Detainees are fingerprinted and photographed, and their belongings are taken. A deportation officer is assigned to handle the case.  Some immigrants receive a Notice to Appear, which explains why the government is deporting the individual. Access to phones is limited, and no incoming calls are allowed.

Family visits may be allowed, but often occur through a glass barrier. Attorneys can visit during certain hours. Many detainees are moved to a center far from their family and lawyer, even to another state. For help finding a family member, read "How to Find a Loved One After an Immigration Arrest."   

Contact a Dallas, TX Immigration Lawyer

This is an uncertain, frightening time for many immigrants in the United States. The very best step you can take right now is to speak to a Plano, TX immigration attorney from Law Office of Jae Lee. Attorney Lee can give you a realistic assessment of your current status.

He can help you file paperwork that could allow you to stay in the U.S., while answering all your questions regarding your specific situation.  Attorney Lee works with clients remotely or in person, providing you with one-on-one immigration guidance from an experienced attorney whose own parents went through the immigration process.