Lawyers with the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network are planning to monitor international arrivals for entry and re-entry issues at Denver International Airport this afternoon.
Neeti Pawar, president of the South Asian Bar Association of Colorado, told Denverite the RMIAN lawyers plan to meet at the airport at 2:30 p.m.
They're not the only ones headed to the airport in the wake of President Donald Trump's order banning refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. A protest is planned there for 5 p.m.
Update, 4 p.m.: Twenty immigration attorneys are at the airport now.
"It's important as a statement to recognize we exist," Pawar said, "to make sure airport security and families know we're here to help."
4:19 p.m.: Emily Brock, an attorney with the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, says lawyers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association and other lawyers not affiliated with those groups are also at the airport. Our headline has been updated to reflect this.
4:20 p.m.: Eric Johnson, one of the lawyers present, texted a family member of a Syrian national, "DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR GREEN CARD. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING."
4:30 p.m.: A Syrian national with an infant is at secondary inspection at DIA in an area that is not technically U.S. soil.
5 p.m.: The Syrian national with the infant made it through to her next flight, according to a text from family members.
5:10 p.m.: Shahla (right) and Abey Mehdizade travelled from Iran and also made it through customs. They were represented by lawyers here for a short time.
"I thank you all. You are the heart of the American people," Shahla told the attorneys.
More reporting from President Trump's first 100 days
- When the present signed an executive order promising to defund so-called “sanctuary cities,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Denver is not a sanctuary city. But then he said it is.
- The administration’s reported freeze on the EPA’s external spending could have widespread effects in Colorado, where government, universities, large corporations and small businesses collectively rely on tens of millions of dollars from the federal agency.
- What will marijuana policy look like under Trump attorney general pick Jeff Sessions?
- Here's our look at how Denver's DACA recipients are preparing for the fight of their lives under a Trump presidency.
- There are big questions looming about the Affordable Care Act.
