Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

laserhaas

(7,805 posts)
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:07 PM Jan 2018

ICE detains a Polish doctor and green-card holder who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 40 years

Source: WaPo

Lukasz Niec was 5 years old when his parents brought him and his sister to the United States from Poland. With two suitcases in tow, his parents — both doctors — left behind a country on the verge of social turmoil. It was 1979, about two years before the country’s authoritarian communist government declared martial law.

Niec received a temporary green card and, in 1989, became a lawful permanent resident. He grew up in Michigan, went to medical school, became a doctor, and raised a daughter and stepdaughter.

Niec, now 43, never fathomed that his legal status in the United States would become an issue. With a renewed green card, and nearly 40 years in the country, his Polish nationality was an afterthought for Niec, his sister told The Washington Post. He doesn’t even speak Polish.

But on Tuesday morning, immigration authorities arrested Niec at his home, just after he had sent his 12-year-old stepdaughter off to school. Niec, a physician specializing in internal medicine at Bronson Healthcare Group in Kalamazoo, Mich., has been detained in a county jail ever since, awaiting a bond hearing and possible deportation.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/22/ice-detains-a-polish-doctor-and-green-card-holder-who-has-lived-in-the-u-s-for-nearly-40-years/?utm_term=.b832c42c7dcd



Must have pissed off a member of the Romney family.


52 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
ICE detains a Polish doctor and green-card holder who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 40 years (Original Post) laserhaas Jan 2018 OP
How is this possible, with a perfectly pnwest Jan 2018 #1
Their reason: dalton99a Jan 2018 #2
Probably would not pay ICE the bribe they demanded to let him stay. McCamy Taylor Jan 2018 #3
AH! Thank you, that makes more sense. Still sucks entirely. pnwest Jan 2018 #40
Especially since it appears there is no statute of limitation in this Xipe Totec Jan 2018 #44
It seems so inane laserhaas Jan 2018 #48
He was 17 when he got those misemeanors--and are now expunged. This is insane!! riversedge Jan 2018 #51
What do you mean, "how is it possible?" pangaia Jan 2018 #6
He was 17 or 18 at the time. OnlinePoker Jan 2018 #4
Did he disclose it on his application forms. itsrobert Jan 2018 #27
What application form? dhol82 Jan 2018 #31
Well if he applied for Naturalization itsrobert Jan 2018 #43
He obviously did not apply for naturalization dhol82 Jan 2018 #47
And you thought Trump would be basing the deportations on race rocktivity Jan 2018 #5
Poland is just not close enough to Norway. marble falls Jan 2018 #7
+ that's right & polish people were a big issue in brexit lunasun Jan 2018 #25
First time I heard about thus laserhaas Jan 2018 #49
Now that a white guy's getting fucked by Trump's ICE... SpankMe Jan 2018 #8
Or Trump will point to it as proof that ICE is not racist dalton99a Jan 2018 #9
America's immigration authorities are equal opportunity assholes DFW Jan 2018 #10
IMHO this is not about the good Drs juvenile record DUgosh Jan 2018 #11
Yes and what's happening in Britain now . See post 25 links lunasun Jan 2018 #29
Being unpredictable and cruel is a textbook way to create an atmosphere of fear. Girard442 Jan 2018 #12
IMO - The Donald - is just, plain, mean. laserhaas Jan 2018 #13
This type of shit is UNACCEPTABLE. Dems need to stay strong and say No DACA, No Deal iluvtennis Jan 2018 #14
Murica.... dhill926 Jan 2018 #15
This just doesn't make any sense at all! secondwind Jan 2018 #16
The US used to want people like this. Renew Deal Jan 2018 #17
Isn't he an example of "merit based" that GOPers have been touting this past week? salin Jan 2018 #21
Of course if they really wanted "merit based", the whole shitload of them erronis Jan 2018 #35
Why do you think Romney has anything to do with this? n/t tammywammy Jan 2018 #18
This is... 3catwoman3 Jan 2018 #19
Agree laserhaas Jan 2018 #50
ICE ICE moonseller66 Jan 2018 #20
That's probably just you. I heard ISIS. (Whoops, somebody's antenna just went up!) erronis Jan 2018 #37
How many more are being detained PatSeg Jan 2018 #22
OMFG MFM008 Jan 2018 #23
Not a mention at Stormfront or Free Republic about this Dreamer. McCamy Taylor Jan 2018 #24
There has to be more to this... awesomerwb1 Jan 2018 #26
If your parents did not take out citizenship papers then you have to wait until you are eighteen. dhol82 Jan 2018 #33
Maybe these misdemeanors was why he Sanity Claws Jan 2018 #34
With up to a million American-born doctors unemployed, what are they to do? BobTheSubgenius Jan 2018 #28
You forgot your sarcasm emoji. McCamy Taylor Jan 2018 #32
All 0.8% of them... LanternWaste Jan 2018 #42
Lots of Polish American voters in Wisconsin and Michigan bronxiteforever Jan 2018 #30
The WaPo article does explain what happened, more or less... Princess Turandot Jan 2018 #36
I'm starting to worry for my Polish SIL, sister, mother, grandmother, legally here, married citizen, joanbarnes Jan 2018 #38
Does he look a bit brown ? Jarqui Jan 2018 #39
Government terrorism. Hey gun-worshippers: we've got your jackboots right here Hekate Jan 2018 #41
You are so right Ohiogal Jan 2018 #52
I'm so glad ICE has cleared our country of all the illegal Delmette2.0 Jan 2018 #45
He's being held so the F**king Moron can claim they are only deporting sinkingfeeling Jan 2018 #46

dalton99a

(81,515 posts)
2. Their reason:
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:16 PM
Jan 2018
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5295795/Doctor-fled-Poland-better-life-faces-deportation.html

According to WOOD TV, Niec has two misdemeanor convictions for destruction of property less than $100 and receiving and concealing stolen goods.

He pleaded guilty to the charges under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows young first time offenders to avoid a criminal record if they never offend again.

The family said Niec was unaware when he accepted the plea agreement that ICE does not honor it.

'Now, they're using this expunged case that's stamped non-public record against him,' Niec-Villaire told WWMT.

Xipe Totec

(43,890 posts)
44. Especially since it appears there is no statute of limitation in this
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:46 PM
Jan 2018

He could have been 60 years old with a misdemeanor from when he was 15, and they would still fuck up his life for no good reason.

Even Javert would be saying: "Are you fucking serious?"

riversedge

(70,242 posts)
51. He was 17 when he got those misemeanors--and are now expunged. This is insane!!
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 09:18 PM
Jan 2018



The family said they have not been told why Niec was arrested, but they believe it stems from a misdemeanor arrest when he was 17.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5295795/Doctor-fled-Poland-better-life-faces-deportation.html#ixzz54xy83YlS
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
6. What do you mean, "how is it possible?"
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:23 PM
Jan 2018

We ALL know exactly how is this possible.

How could Nazis arrest Jews? Impossible..
How could Stalin have his own generals shot? (Shostakovich barely kept his life!)
How could Saddam.......?

OnlinePoker

(5,721 posts)
4. He was 17 or 18 at the time.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:19 PM
Jan 2018

This makes no sense when someone turns their life around, becomes a doctor and has a child in the country. I guess they have to show they're not just targeting brown people in their purges.

itsrobert

(14,157 posts)
27. Did he disclose it on his application forms.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:41 PM
Jan 2018

Not disclosing criminal activity on your applications can put you in jeopardy years later when found out.

dhol82

(9,353 posts)
31. What application form?
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:50 PM
Jan 2018

He had a legal green card.
He came here at the age of five.
Only thing I wonder about is why he didn’t go for citizenship.

itsrobert

(14,157 posts)
43. Well if he applied for Naturalization
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:33 PM
Jan 2018

Last edited Mon Jan 22, 2018, 04:56 PM - Edit history (1)

And did not disclose it. Maybe that's the reason.

dhol82

(9,353 posts)
47. He obviously did not apply for naturalization
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 04:46 PM
Jan 2018

He was living with a green card.
Not sure why he didn’t but that was his decision.
There was no reason for him to worry - so he thought.
Pathetic idiocy on the part of ICE.

SpankMe

(2,957 posts)
8. Now that a white guy's getting fucked by Trump's ICE...
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:24 PM
Jan 2018

...maybe this'll finally get some attention.

<snark>

DFW

(54,403 posts)
10. America's immigration authorities are equal opportunity assholes
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:31 PM
Jan 2018

It's not just for Hispanics and Haitians any more.

Freedom and justice for all! Oops. OK, maybe not.............

DUgosh

(3,056 posts)
11. IMHO this is not about the good Drs juvenile record
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:32 PM
Jan 2018

It is about the history of Polish immigrants in America and how they were viewed by white supremacists.

Girard442

(6,075 posts)
12. Being unpredictable and cruel is a textbook way to create an atmosphere of fear.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:34 PM
Jan 2018

Just what a dictator wants.

 

laserhaas

(7,805 posts)
13. IMO - The Donald - is just, plain, mean.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:39 PM
Jan 2018

Whatever he can do, to frug the status quo, and irk U.D. little people ...he will do.

dhill926

(16,340 posts)
15. Murica....
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 12:44 PM
Jan 2018

goddamn, fuck this shit. Hope a blue tsunami sweeps all the assholes into a bottomless shithole.

salin

(48,955 posts)
21. Isn't he an example of "merit based" that GOPers have been touting this past week?
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:14 PM
Jan 2018

Boggles the mind.

erronis

(15,290 posts)
35. Of course if they really wanted "merit based", the whole shitload of them
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:01 PM
Jan 2018

Would be put on inflatable rafts and pulled out to the middle of the ocean. Admirable Trump at the forecastle, Cap'n Ryan stroking the rudder, and Mitch blowin' hard into the air-valve to keep the boat afloat. The rest of the sycophants could really start praying to their sweet savior.

Wonder which tub-o-lard will go into the drink the first. We could send out an alert to the sharks who have a fondness for greasy buggers.

McCamy Taylor

(19,240 posts)
24. Not a mention at Stormfront or Free Republic about this Dreamer.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:26 PM
Jan 2018

Could it be that they want their readers to believe that only browns and blacks will be deported?

awesomerwb1

(4,268 posts)
26. There has to be more to this...
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:40 PM
Jan 2018

Two misdemeanors shouldn't make you deportable, even less so if they were committed before turning 18.

Why didn't he become a citizen? With a green card you can apply for citizenship after 5 years??

dhol82

(9,353 posts)
33. If your parents did not take out citizenship papers then you have to wait until you are eighteen.
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:52 PM
Jan 2018

Leastwise that’s the way it used to be.

Sanity Claws

(21,849 posts)
34. Maybe these misdemeanors was why he
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:57 PM
Jan 2018

Didn’t apply for citizenship. He would have had to disclose them if he applied. He might have decided not to bother than to dredge up this ancient history

BobTheSubgenius

(11,564 posts)
28. With up to a million American-born doctors unemployed, what are they to do?
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:41 PM
Jan 2018

Do you want him using his expertise to heal people while there are that many native-born doctors struggling to just survive?

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
42. All 0.8% of them...
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:28 PM
Jan 2018

"With up to a million American-born doctors unemployed..."

All 0.8% of them... it's a tsunami of wasted health care opportunities, I tellsya!!!

bronxiteforever

(9,287 posts)
30. Lots of Polish American voters in Wisconsin and Michigan
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 01:50 PM
Jan 2018

U.S. cities and communities with large Polish American populations are largely concentrated in the Upper Midwestern United States. Paulie Ryan has some explaining to do.

Princess Turandot

(4,787 posts)
36. The WaPo article does explain what happened, more or less...
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:01 PM
Jan 2018
According to his “notice to appear” from the Department of Homeland Security, Niec’s detention stems from two misdemeanor convictions from 26 years ago. In January 1992, Niec was convicted of malicious destruction of property under $100. In April of that year, he was convicted of receiving and concealing stolen property over $100 and a financial transaction device.

Because Niec was convicted of two crimes involving “moral turpitude,” stemming from two separate incidents, he is subject to removal, immigration authorities wrote in the notice to appear, citing the Immigration and Nationality Act.


(The doctor has also pleaded guilty to drunk driving once, and was tried and acquitted for domestic violence in 2013. (His current wife is his second one.) It doesn't appear that those events impacted this.)

The article notes that these types of removals have always happened. But in the past, legal residents (green card holders) who committed low-level crimes were often not subjected to removal, even if that could have happened. Now, they're going after more people, and the actions are getting more publicity because of Trump's idiocy.

Over the decades, tens of thousands of legal residents have been deported for relatively minor offenses. But under previous administrations, immigration authorities have often let low-level offenders off the hook, prioritizing the deportations of violent criminals. A memo from the Obama administration in 2011 directed immigration officials to look at a number of factors, such as familial relationships with U.S. citizens, criminal history, education and contributions to the community, in deciding whether arrests and prosecution are warranted, as The Post’s Kristine Phillips reported.

But the Trump administration has issued sweeping new guidelines expanding the range of immigrants that count as high priority for deportation, including low-level offenders, and those with no criminal record — regardless of how long they have lived in the country. Now, immigrants feel the threat of deportation more than ever, advocates say, whether they are residing here legally or not.

joanbarnes

(1,722 posts)
38. I'm starting to worry for my Polish SIL, sister, mother, grandmother, legally here, married citizen,
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:04 PM
Jan 2018

though I hope she can get us all into Poland, especially her grandkids, who will have a better future there.

Jarqui

(10,126 posts)
39. Does he look a bit brown ?
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 02:07 PM
Jan 2018


so they put him in jail?

They do not realize that they hurt their own discriminatory cause doing crap like this - which illustrates how ignorant and stupid they really are.

I'm still reeling over that father in Michigan
https://www.freep.com/story/news/2018/01/21/deportation-dad-garcia-family/1050226001/

I was wondering if DNA tests should be mandatory for racists and the results published to expose how impure most of these racists really are. Of course, the evangelicals would find something unholy about that. But how is that different from the testing they want done before an abortion?

Ohiogal

(32,005 posts)
52. You are so right
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 09:26 PM
Jan 2018

Government terrorism. Perfect description.

This is appalling and unacceptable.

Pull the lever, voters, and flush the Trump sewage away next fall!

Delmette2.0

(4,166 posts)
45. I'm so glad ICE has cleared our country of all the illegal
Mon Jan 22, 2018, 04:42 PM
Jan 2018

Immigrants who are criminals, bringing in drugs and raping. So they can now focus on the illegal immigrants who have gotten an education and done more good for their communities than harm.



Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»ICE detains a Polish doct...