Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
A mass email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warning recipients to leave the United States if they lack a legal basis to remain has sparked widespread confusion and concern, after the agency admitted the notice was mistakenly sent to some US citizens.
The email, titled “Notice of Termination of Parole,” was intended for individuals who had entered the country under immigration parole programs, many of whom fled unrest in nations such as Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Nicaragua. However, administrative errors led to the notice being sent to unintended recipients, including US citizens, raising alarms about procedural errors and their potential consequences. The email, reviewed by NBC News, contained stern language advising recipients of imminent consequences should they fail to comply.
“If you do not depart the United States immediately, you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here,” the message read. It further stated that any associated benefits, such as work authorisation, would cease as part of the termination process.
The email concluded with a blunt admonition: “Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you.”
DHS officials explained that in cases where non-personal emails were provided by immigrants on parole, notices may have mistakenly been sent to those addresses. A senior DHS official assured the public that Customs and Border Protection was “monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis.” The accidental outreach to US citizens has led to a mix of bewilderment and concern among recipients. Nicole Micheroni, an immigration attorney based in Boston, recounted receiving the notice herself despite being a US-born citizen.
“At first I thought it was for a client, and then I kind of laughed about it a little bit, and then I was a little concerned,” Micheroni said, describing a whirlwind of emotions upon realising the email was addressed directly to her.
Immigration experts agree that US citizens are not at risk of deportation due to this error. However, some attorneys have urged recipients to take precautionary measures. Kristen Harris, an immigration attorney in Chicago, emphasises the importance of documentation for individuals who may inadvertently find themselves on erroneous lists.
“There is certainly no legal effect under current statute or regulation for a citizen to be ‘parole terminated,’ given that especially a U.S. citizen would never, ever have been paroled in his or her life,” Harris said.
Harris advises US citizens to consult private immigration counsel to safeguard against any unlikely challenges to their citizenship status. Such precautionary measures include collecting and securing proof of citizenship, such as birth certificates and US passports, to ensure quick verification if approached by immigration authorities. Micheroni echoes these sentiments, stating, “I’m not trying to cause people to panic, but I think if you find yourself accidentally on a list, it’s not crazy, but just make sure you have some documentation prepared somewhere.”
Other immigration attorneys have taken a more dismissive approach. Jonathan A. Grode, an immigration lawyer in Philadelphia, recommended that US citizens disregard the notice and delete the email, citing its lack of legal standing. The mistaken distribution of these notices has amplified concerns about broader administrative errors within immigration systems and their potential consequences. In recent weeks, reports have surfaced of the Trump administration intensifying deportation efforts for noncitizens.
A particularly contentious case involved the deportation of hundreds of men to a high-security prison in El Salvador, with federal officials claiming they were members of a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua. Families of some deported individuals have strongly contested these allegations, and at least one deportee, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was sent to prison despite living in Maryland under a protective court order. DHS has defied multiple court directives to return Abrego Garcia to the US, citing administrative mistakes.
These developments have sparked anxiety among immigrant communities and the US citizens alike, particularly in light of rumours that the administration is exploring unprecedented measures. Among the proposals floated is the idea of deporting US citizens convicted of specific crimes, further blurring the lines between citizen and noncitizen rights. Additionally, recent reports in the New York Times reveal efforts to revoke Social Security numbers of deported migrants by falsely designating them as deceased, effectively barring them from financial transactions.
Such errors, if extended to citizens, could have grave implications. Micheroni and other recipients of the erroneous notice worry about the broader implications of administrative missteps. While Micheroni has verified the continued validity of her Social Security account, she warns that these errors could result in serious consequences if individuals are mistakenly placed on inappropriate lists. The unintended distribution of termination notices has created confusion and frustration, and it has also shed light on the challenges of managing complex immigration systems.
The DHS has not yet released information on how many citizens, along with the intended immigrants, received the email.