Undocumented Thais in US fear new crackdown

The Foreign Ministry yesterday also expressed concern about the new order, warning Thai people in the US to comply with the laws of the host country.
More than 100,000 undocumented Thais are believed to be living in the US. 
“Basically, Thai nationals living and working in any countries must respect local laws. Undocumented people take their own risks if they were arrested and deported,” said Chittipat Thongprasert, deputy director-general of the Consular Department.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued tough new orders on Tuesday to begin a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigrants, putting nearly all of the country’s 11 million undocumented foreigners in the cross-hairs, according to AFP.
Two memos issued by DHS Secretary John Kelly ordered border patrol and immigration officers to deport illegal immigrants as quickly as possible, with only a few exceptions, principally regarding children.
Undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes will remain the priority for deportation, but it will now also include anyone who has been charged or potentially faces criminal charges.
A Thai living in the US, Chaiwat Wattalo, said Thais in the country, notably those who lived and worked illegally, were in a panic after the new order. “There are plenty of rumours about the crackdown now. We have to check on each other all the time. It would be big trouble if any of them were arrested as their incomes would be |disrupted,” he said.
Chaiwat has worked legally in the US for years, but worries about fellow Thais who arrived in the past few years and did not have proper documentation.
“It would be okay for those who live in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles and New York City, since authorities are flexible, but people who live in Arizona or Texas might get in trouble due to the new order,” Chaiwat said. Arizona and Texas host many illegal immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries targeted by the order. 
Banlue Sornbali, a Thai businessman in Los Angeles, said he expected that the majority of Thais in the country would be safe since they had documents. “But those who live here illegally should be careful. Don’t commit any crime. Minor crimes such as quarrels or fighting could lead to big trouble like arrest and deportation,” he said.
Thais who work or do business legally also need to be careful when they engage with other foreigners no matter what their nationalities are, he said. “I myself need to check the background of all my staff and workers in my business since they could bring legal difficulties as well,” he said.
Thai Consular offices in the United States do not have clear figures on how many Thai nationals in the us, but it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 undocumented Thais there.