CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many immigrants living in Charlotte are facing the fear of uncertainty and are seeking legal services amid President-elect Donald Trump's immigration plans.
"They're just scared," David Concha, an immigration attorney, said. "We've noticed an increase in those types of inquiries about many people are wondering steps they can take to adjust or fix their immigration status."
Concha said each case is different. While some are worried about fixing their immigration status and protecting their assets, others are worried about the impact on those who are in the system.
"Those would be easy to execute because they're already detained," Concha said. "Those are the ones that are definitely going to be picked up and subject to these mass deportations."
He said there is a lot of misinformation spreading about the process of being deported which generally doesn't happen overnight.
"It's not so easy to say that we're just going to pick up a bunch of people and throw them out," Concha said.
Concha said generally the cases have to be analyzed to determine who has a right to see a judge and who doesn't.
"Generally if someone were to be eligible for a hearing, they have to be issued a document called a notice to appear," Concha said.
He said from there things will then head to the Immigration Court to determine whether or not a person is removed, an intense process he says they’re gearing up for too.
"I'd expect some kind of vigorous and zealous action on their part, so similarly we also have to prepare in that same manner," Concha said.
Concha said he is encouraging folks not to panic, but instead be prepared by contacting a lawyer who can go over any legal concerns ahead of next year.