(Thechieftainspear) – Harriet Steele, an immigration attorney in Los Angeles, was taken aback after receiving an alarming email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructing her to “leave the United States immediately” — despite being a U.S. citizen. The email, dated April 10, read, “It is time for you to leave the United States,” and warned her that her parole status had been revoked.
The message, which also included a stern warning of potential criminal prosecution and civil fines, added: “DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own. Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you.” Steele, who was shocked by the notification, initially thought it was meant for one of her clients rather than herself.
“I was stunned when I first read it,” Steele remarked. “I couldn’t understand why I would receive such an email. There was no identifying information about who it was for, and as a U.S. citizen, I was confused and concerned it was a mistake.”
Steele noted that without clear identification in the message, others — especially non-citizens without legal expertise — could easily panic or misunderstand the situation.
“It would be terrifying for someone who doesn’t have the legal background I have or the status of being a U.S. citizen,” she said, expressing concern for those who might receive similar emails.
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The DHS later acknowledged the error in a statement to the Los Angeles Times, explaining that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sent notifications using the email addresses linked to immigrant cases. In cases where non-personal emails (such as those of attorneys or other third parties) were provided, some unintended recipients, including U.S. citizens, may have received the notices. CBP said it is investigating the situation on a case-by-case basis.
Steele, who regularly represents unaccompanied minors, suspects that the email is part of a broader pattern linked to the current administration’s hardline immigration policies. “This kind of mistake fits into the larger, chaotic and fear-based approach we’ve seen recently,” Steele said. “The government seems to be trying to intimidate people into self-deporting.”
She expressed concern that the erroneous emails could increase anxiety among her clients, many of whom are already vulnerable. Despite the distress caused by the DHS message, Steele remains resolute in her commitment to her clients and her work. “I’m not going to be intimidated by this,” she declared. “I’ll continue representing my clients and advocating for their rights.”
Steele is not the only U.S. citizen to have received the mistaken DHS notice. Similar reports have come from other professionals, including an immigration attorney in Massachusetts and a doctor in Connecticut.
The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment further on the issue, and KTLA is awaiting an official response.
