I just received call-in letter from DHS. the reason is for interview, non-immigrant status review. I don't know why i'm getting it. I never submit anything to them and interact with them the last 9 yrs being out of status. I don't even have any interaction with police either. I have good clean record except being illegal. but somehow they sent me that call-in letter. I've been out of status for 9 years from F1 student visa and been in states for more than 15 yrs. I just made appointment with immigration lawyer next week for consultation since not that many available due to corona virus took shelter in place. I'm afraid if i go there without consulting with any immigration lawyer, they will detain me and send me back home asap. I have daughter 5 yrs U.S citizen and i'm afraid for her if they send me back home suddenly.
ICE does actively search for F-1 violators. You should hire an immigration lawyer. If your appointment is for 630 Sansome, 5th Floor, this is ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations. If your apppointment is on floor 8 or 9, this would be ICE Homeland Security Investigations. The first would suggest that they simply found you to be out of status the second would suggest that perhaps there was a larger fraud investigation that brought you under the radar.
In either case, they would likely file a deportation case against you. If you do not have a criminal history it is unlikely you would be detained you probably would be released on your promise to go to court or with a bond. ICE generally must go through a court process to deport someone and there are defenses available during that court case.
If you choose not to go to the appointment and they later detain you, your failure to comply will be used as a factor against you and potentially could result in the denial of bail or a higher bail.
If your appointment is on the 5th floor, it has been cancelled buy ICE ERO. This would not apply to Homeland Security Investigations (at least there is no announcement I have received). He is what ERO said:
"Temporary Measures to Reduce COVID-19 Exposure at ERO San Francisco Office Locations
Effective March 17, 2020
In response to COVID-19, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Francisco Field Office will implement procedures to limit public facing operations until further notice, in order to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 consistent with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. This notice applies to individuals with reporting instructions for all ERO San Francisco Office locations to include San Francisco, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Fresno, Honolulu, Guam, and Saipan. Previously scheduled appointments to include bond demands are postponed pending rescheduling notices by ERO San Francisco.
• Those posting immigration bonds may still enter the building. Generally, only the individual appearing to post the bond will be permitted to enter the building. Anyone accompanying such individuals (e.g., for support, or children accompanied by another adult), will be asked by security to kindly remain outside the building."
Consult with an immigration lawyer ASAP
DHS may have figured out that you are not in lawful status.
Talk with an immigration attorney before doing anything.
Please see https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/how-to-hire-an-immigration-attorney
ICE might have come across your name/student records when they are investigating those pay-to-stay schemes run by shady schools (if not, doing audits of your old schools). You will probably be placed on the removal proceedings.
DHS just may have finally caught up with you being out of status.