San Diego, California – Aldo Martinez, a U.S. citizen and immigration advocate, received a shocking email on April 11 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), instructing him to leave the United States or face removal. The message stated that DHS was terminating his “parole” and warned of potential law enforcement action if he failed to depart within seven days.
“I was born in National City, California,” Martinez said. “I was never paroled, I was never admitted into this country, I am no type of parole.”
Despite being born on U.S. soil, Martinez, a Department of Justice-accredited legal representative, said he fears repercussions. For years, he has supported immigrant communities through workshops, asylum application assistance, and legal self-representation education. He previously worked with the nonprofit Al Otro Lado and is now at La Maestra, offering legal services to detainees.
Martinez also took part in lawsuits challenging Trump-era asylum restrictions. He suspects his activism could be behind the DHS notice. “I think it is an intimidation tactic against our community whether you’re a citizen or legal permanent resident or undocumented,” he said. “They’re not going to stop me from fighting for immigrants’ rights.”
The email he received echoes President Donald Trump’s March 22 memorandum pledging sanctions against attorneys engaged in what he called “misconduct” in immigration cases. Trump emphasized the need for accountability in matters affecting national security and public safety.
Martinez isn’t alone. On the same day, Massachusetts resident Nicole Micheroni — also a U.S. citizen — received a similar notice. “At first I thought it was for a client, but I looked really closely, and the only name on the email was mine,” she said.
DHS later responded to inquiries about the letters, saying that notices may have been misdirected due to clients using their legal representatives’ contact information. “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 statement read. “CBP is monitoring communications and will address any issues on a case-by-case basis.”
Even with this clarification, Martinez remains uneasy. “I was surprised and scared because this administration would have no problem sending ICE after me even though I am a citizen.”
He continues to speak out, hoping to prevent further errors or perceived intimidation. “We can’t allow this to happen to our community,” Martinez said.
