By Steve Neavling
A Massachusetts immigration attorney says she was mistakenly sent an email by immigration authorities ordering her to leave the United States — even though she’s a U.S.-born citizen.
Nicole Micheroni said the message, sent April 11, came from Trump administration immigration officials with the subject line, “Notice of Termination of Parole,” the Guardian reports.
“It is time for you to leave the United States,” the email read. “If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal.”
“At first I thought it was for a client,” Micheroni told NBC Boston. “But I looked really closely and the only name on the email was mine.”
While she believes it was likely sent in error, Micheroni called the message concerning. “I think it’s a scare tactic. I think they want people afraid of immigration,” she said.
A Department of Homeland Security official told the station the message may have been sent to her because she’s listed as a contact on immigration paperwork for clients. In some cases, Customs and Border Protection used known email addresses associated with noncitizens to send removal notices, even if those emails belonged to attorneys.
Experts say it is illegal for the government to try to remove U.S. citizens from the country.
