Immigration expert explains rights when dealing with ICE

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is continuing to increase targeted raids in major cities across the country. The raids aim at deporting illegal immigrants, as part of a campaign promise made by President Donald Trump.

This week on Empire State Weekly, Cianna Freeman-Tolbert, an immigration lawyer with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, explained what she's experiencing as she's assisted clients in managing interactions with ICE. She explained that migrants as well as their employers should know their rights when interacting with ICE.

"A lot of employers are concerned about work site visits. What happens if ICE shows up at the work site? What are our rights? So, we're informing them about similar rights," Freeman-Tolbert said. "If they don't have a valid search warrant, you shouldn't allow them to just wander around your workplace."

Also this week, prison reform remained at the top of many minds following the death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County. Jennifer Scaife, the Executive Director of the Correctional Association of New York, explained how three pieces of proposed legislation could impact the prison system. She also explained her belief that meaningful prison reform would take a multi-pronged approach.

"As you can imagine, there is no quick fix to the reforms that are being called for. Many of the issues that we've identified are interconnected," said Scaife. "In other words, in order to solve the bigger problems like violence, you have to address a number of different things almost simultaneously."

To see these interviews and more, here is a list of how you can watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York: