RALEIGH, N.C. — The Department of Homeland Security is sending out emails to some immigrants instructing them to self deport. But, a senior DHS official tells Spectrum News 1 “notices may have been sent to unintended recipients,” and the department will address issues on a case-by-case basis.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Homeland Security is sending out emails to some immigrants instructing them to self deport

  • A senior DHS official tells Spectrum News 1 “notices may have been sent to unintended recipients,” and the department will address issues on a case-by-case basis

  • In a statement, a senior DHS official said, "CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications. If a non-personal email — such as an American citizen contact — was provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients”

The email was sent out by the federal government Friday telling some Afghan refugees here legally to leave the country, causing concern in that community.

"It's really unconscionable what the administration's doing here with these scary notices that they're not even bothering to double check to make sure they're going to the right people,” Shawn VanDiver said.

VanDiver is a Navy veteran who fought in the Iraq War and the founder and president of the nonprofit #AfghanEvac, which started during the withdrawal from Afghanistan to help Afghans who helped U.S. troops during that conflict.

"And pushing our government to do the right thing to keep our promise, to not turn a bunch of veterans into liars,” VanDiver said.

The emailed notice says, "You are here because the Department of Homeland Security paroled you into the United States for a limited period. Your parole status will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice.”

In a statement, a senior DHS official said, "CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications. If a nonpersonal email — such as an American citizen contact — was provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients.”

"This is not normal behavior. This is not how things should be going down. We have the rule of law for a reason,” VanDiver said.

VanDiver’s organization says the No. 1 thing to do if you find yourself in this situation is to contact a immigration lawyer.

“What those attorneys will tell you is, No. 1, if you haven't yet filed for asylum. If you've already filed for asylum, then you shouldn't have to leave until that gets adjudicated. If there's any sort of open-court case, the immigration court case or open USCIS processing, then you should be good to go. You should be able to stay here until that gets adjudicated,” VanDiver said.

VanDiver is also telling people not to make any hasty decisions about leaving without talking to the council. He says there are lawyers gearing up to sue and fight this notice in court.