Concern among the immigrant community in Philadelphia is growing. In a conversation with Impacto, Natalia Ruggiero, Esq., immigration partner at Palladino, Isbell and Casazza and board member of Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS), analyzed the current challenging landscape: “Immigration is everywhere,” she stated. “We’ve seen detentions at workplaces, during interviews, or routine checks. People who are simply following the law end up in risky situations.”
Ruggiero emphasized the importance of family legal preparedness: “It’s vital that everyone has a plan know who to call, keep copies of important documents, and speak with an immigration attorney before an emergency happens.”
Fall 2025: Troubling immigration trends
In recent months, the use of detention has increased and paths to regularize immigration status have been eliminated: “There are officers required to meet monthly arrest quotas, which increases pressure on vulnerable communities,” Ruggiero warned. “People driving without a license, working without authorization, or with pending immigration court cases are especially at risk.”
Hispanic communities also face the final expiration of parole (temporary permission granted by the U.S. government) for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) in May 2025, as well as the end of several Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs, including those for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This leaves thousands of immigrants who have lived legally in the U.S.sometimes for decades in a precarious situation without work authorization.
Although options such as asylum remain, applicants now face new fees and stricter requirements: a mandatory $100 fee for the initial asylum application, $550 for an asylum-based work permit, and an annual $100 charge while the case remains pending. These measures, combined with backlogs in immigration offices, heighten anxiety among families.
Adding to the concern is the government’s promotion of so-called “self-deportation,” a legal fiction with no basis in immigration law. Faced with threats of arrest, indefinite detention, or deportation, some consider this option, attracted by promises of free flights, stipends, and possible future reentry. However, no law guarantees any of this, leaving many families facing difficult and alarming decisions.
Who suffers? We all do when we lose them. But our immigrant neighbors are not alone.
Where to Find Help
In addition to EILS and PIC, which provide legal representation, there are multiple local resources. Organizations such as Juntos accompany immigrants to ICE and court appointments; the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition advocates for policies that prevent cooperation with ICE; and Temple University’s Law School organizes family preparedness workshops. The Northwest Regional Refugee & Immigrant Network (NWRRIN) offers financial aid to families affected by detentions, and consulates provide legal advice, guidance, and support for those who decide to return to their countries.
“This is not an individual problem but a collective one. Communities must support one another, share resources, and stay informed,” Ruggiero concluded.
For more information about workshops, legal consultations, or your rights as an immigrant, contact local organizations or visit Philadelphia Immigration Lawyer | Palladino, Isbell & Casazza | PIC Law.