Our lawyers at The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has immigrants throughout the state of Pennsylvania concerned about their pending cases and other important legal matters. Here is how the COVID-19 outbreak is affecting immigrants in our area.
Can I Visit a Detained Immigrant?
In York County, PA, attorneys and family members can no longer visit immigrant detainees. However, they can use video visits to communicate with each other.
If you want to use video visitation in York County, visit the GTL website:
- Personal visits cost $15 for 0-30 minutes
- Professional visits cost $25.20 for 0-30 minutes or $50.40 for 31-60 minutes
If you want to use video visitation in York County, you will need the following:
- The most up-to-date version of Adobe Flash Player installed on your device
- An internal or external webcam
- A microphone attached to your computer
- Headphones or speakers
- A solid internet connection
If your computer doesn’t have a camera, you can purchase one for around $25 at retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Wal-Mart. Most computers come with a built-in microphone. To find the microphone, click “Control Panel” in the start menu and then click the “Sound” option. If you can’t find any options for microphone settings, then you will need to purchase one.
It is also crucial that you make sure the webcam and microphone are attached to the computer and that the devices’ firmware has been successfully installed. 400kbps download and upload speeds generally provide the best results for video visits.
ICE Guidance on COVID-19
ICE also updated its guidance on visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the guidance, ICE is taking the following measures to ensure the safety of officers, visitors, and detainees:
- “Legal visitation must continue unless determined to pose a risk to the safety and security of the facility.”
- “Non-contact legal visitation (e.g., Skype or teleconference) should be offered first to limit exposure to ICE detainees, but in-person contact should be permitted if determined essential by the legal representative.”
- “Prior to the in-person visit, the legal representative must undergo the same screening required for staff entry into the facility.”
- “The ultimate legal visit approving authority lies with the Warden or Facility Administrator; however, the facility should notify its local Field Office Director as soon as possible of any denied legal visits.”
Speak to a Dedicated Immigration Lawyer Today
During this difficult time, we remain committed to using our extensive knowledge of the law to protect our clients. If you or a loved one has been detained by ICE or another law enforcement agency, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us so we can discuss your situation. Although our office is currently closed to the public, we are still accepting calls and scheduling consultations for clients in need of skilled legal representation. All consultations will be conducted by phone or video at a reduced rate through May 1, 2020.
Call 717-900-1818 today to speak to a member of our team about setting up your case consultation with a lawyer at The Law Office of Rosina C. Stambaugh.
