Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Three refugee families in Utah received letters from the Department of Homeland Security telling them to leave the country.
- Neighbors express outrage, calling the situation inhumane and against American values.
- An attorney advises families to seek legal help, asserting their rights under U.S. law.
SALT LAKE CITY — Three refugee families living in Millcreek got a shocking and upsetting letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security telling them, in part, "It's time for you to leave the United States … your parole will terminate in seven days."
Two of the families are from Venezuela and the other is from Haiti. All are in the country legally.
"The letter said that I was supposed to leave," said a very distraught mother from Haiti who did not want to be identified for fear of immigration officials. "I was in shock because I wasn't expecting something like that to happen because I came here legally. I am worried. I am concerned because I don't know what is going to happen."
Marcy Matheson, a neighbor of the families, joined several other neighbors to speak with KSL-TV about how upset they are that these families are being forced out when they've committed no crime. She said she was angry, sad and embarrassed.
"I feel ashamed that our country that represents values is trampling those values," Matheson said.
Brad Neff, another neighbor, said he feels anger and heartache.
"Unimaginable that the government that we love would do this to people that we love," Neff said.
Unimaginable that the government that we love would do this to people that we love.
–Brad Neff, neighbor
Peggy Ayers, a third neighbor, said the situation is "not right" and "inhumane."
"Please, please do something about this and stop this insanity," Peggy said. "These are real human beings with feelings, with emotions, with families that have been torn apart already."
The two families from Venezuela arrived in the U.S. about eight months ago. The family from Haiti said they got here in October 2023. All have active visas and are working to support their families.
The letter states, "If you do not depart the United States immediately, you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal."
The idea of getting out all the bad guys, I think a lot of people can get behind that, and it feels like they've taken it too far.
–Steve Ayers
"Honestly, they feel like family to us," yet another neighbor, Steve Ayers, said. "The idea of getting out all the bad guys, I think a lot of people can get behind that, and it feels like they've taken it too far."
Attorney Jim McConkie, with the Refugee Justice League, who also lives in the community, is helping the families get legal representation.
"We are dealing with a group of people that are here legally, and the letters that were sent intentionally are designed to bully and mislead these people into believing that they don't have rights under our constitution," he said. "We live in a country of laws where individuals are respected."
He's telling the families to hang tight and wait for an attorney.
"Get counsel, exert your rights, and be brave and believe that, in this country, laws will ultimately prevail," he said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to KSL-TV's request for answers to questions.
