WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita immigration attorney is preparing for significant changes to U.S. immigration policies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
On Monday, Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency to enable the military to carry out mass deportations of immigrants, potentially starting on his first day in office.
Attorney Sandrine Lisk, who has practiced immigration law for 30 years, expressed deep concern about the implications for immigrants living in the United States. She anticipates legal battles to challenge Trump’s proposed actions.
“Our family and employment immigration laws have remained largely unchanged since 1965,” Lisk said. “The idea that these laws could be completely transformed is monumental. It represents a seismic shift in immigration policy.”
In the meantime, Lisk is working within the current legal framework to advocate for her clients. She is also preparing both existing and future clients for the anticipated changes.
A large portion of Lisk’s clients are DREAMERS—undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and are protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. She advises those with DACA permits expiring in 2025 to renew immediately.
“Renewing DACA now makes it more difficult for the government to revoke that status,” Lisk explained. “If you wait to reapply or extend after inauguration, you could face more challenges.”
On Tuesday, Lisk held an information session for immigrants, offering advice both in person and online. She warned that policy changes could be implemented quickly through executive orders, new legislation, or shifts in enforcement priorities. Her predictions are based on Trump’s first term and his outlined plans for his second term.
“For attorneys, the focus is on proactive preparation,” Lisk said. “It’s better to anticipate challenges and take action now than to react later.”
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