Rebekah Grafton Of Fay Grafton Nuñez Featured On ABC11 WTVD To Address ICE Misinformation In North Carolina
As fear and confusion continue to swirl online around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, North Carolina immigration attorney Rebekah Grafton, a partner at Raleigh’s FayGraftonNunez, appeared on ABC11 WTVD to dispel myths and educate the public about what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what your rights really are. With social media awash in rumors and sensational headlines about ICE operations in North Carolina Grafton provided much-needed clarity—and cautious counsel—on what people actually need to know while on ABC11 WTVD.
Grafton, a respected immigration attorney and partner at Fay Grafton Nuñez PLLC, emphasized that much of the panic being driven by social media is rooted in outdated or incorrect information.
“I think the biggest thing that people need to know is that ICE is not randomly stopping people on the street,” Grafton said. “They are surveilling folks. They are looking at homes. They are looking at patterns.”
Sorting Fact From Fiction – Reality vs. Rumor
In her interview, Grafton addressed some of the most common rumors circulating on platforms like Facebook and TikTok—particularly the idea that ICE officers are conducting random traffic stops or indiscriminately arresting people outside grocery stores or churches.
“This fear that anyone at any time could be picked up isn’t how it’s working. ICE is targeting specific individuals who already have some interaction with the immigration system,” she explained.
That said, Grafton was quick to note that enforcement priorities have shifted over the years, sometimes dramatically.
“In the Obama administration, they were doing removals, but there was a priority structure,” Grafton said. “Now we’ve got this administration saying, ‘We’re not going to prioritize. We’re just going to do them all.’”
Grafton, who exclusively practices immigration law and has over 15 years of experience, warned that misinformation can fuel anxiety and confusion among immigrant communities. On WTVD, she explained that if ICE has someone under surveillance, it’s because they’ve identified patterns and locations tied to that individual—not arbitrary street roundups.
The misconception that ICE officers randomly detain anyone they encounter is simply not accurate. Instead, Grafton emphasized they follow structured protocols and focus on individuals with known immigration violations.
Know Your Rights—And How to Respond
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Grafton’s segment was her reminder that individuals—whether documented or undocumented—still have rights.
“You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to not sign anything. You have the right to ask for a lawyer,” she stated.
She warned against offering false documents or pretending to be a U.S. citizen—actions that could severely jeopardize any future immigration relief. Instead, she encouraged people to keep their documents up to date and to understand their legal standing.
Grafton also clarified a critical point that many don’t realize. She said that undocumented immigrants are not required to identify themselves if they come into contact with ICE agents and,
“The most important question is where were you born. Because as soon as you tell an ICE officer you were born somewhere other than the United States, that gives them jurisdiction to move forward in determining what your immigration status is.”
Most importantly, Grafton stressed, if you’re approached by ICE, you’re not required to identify yourself as undocumented or where you’re born. A non-U.S. birthplace gives ICE jurisdiction to initiate proceedings. However, undocumented individuals can:
- Choose to remain silent or request a lawyer
- Decline searches
- Refrain from presenting false documents or signing anything without legal counsel
Fellow NC-based attorney Allison Chan also appeared on the segment, offering parallel advice: stay calm, assert your rights, and carry copies of any current USCIS receipts, work permits, or legal status documents.
The Historical Context
One recurring misconception online is that ICE today is some new “rogue” agency. Grafton pushed back, saying that policy shifts between administrations are important—but ICE itself has always pursued removals. Under Obama, deportations primarily targeted non-citizens with criminal histories or recent arrivals. By contrast, recent policy changes have broadened enforcement, resulting in more cases across a wider population.
Grafton, who has dedicated over 15 years to exclusively practicing immigration law, continues to guide clients through a complex and often unforgiving legal system.
“If you ask any of my clients, I’ll tell them we’re working on a broken system, but we have to work with what we have,” she said.
When comparing immigration enforcement across presidential administrations, Grafton highlighted a stark shift in approach. She noted that while deportation activity was significant under President Obama—who was dubbed the “Deporter in Chief”—there was a clear strategy behind who was prioritized.
“Obama had that nickname, Deporter in Chief. And that floated around for a while because his deportation numbers were high. And that was because he focused his efforts on a particular class of people,” Grafton explained.
“He really focused on folks who had criminal records, folks who’d recently entered the United States. And so if you’d been here for ten years…we don’t need to worry about trying to deport you. When you focus your efforts like that, you can get people through that docket pretty quickly.”
By contrast, she said the Trump administration cast a much wider net.
“The former has been going after everybody,” Grafton said, describing how the enforcement policy became broader and less discerning.
“But now, of course, Trump’s been able to kind of strong-arm some of those countries into taking folks, coming up with some other ways of trying to get people out of the U.S., even if it’s not to their home country.”
Why Getting Legal Help Matters
Grafton reiterated: don’t rely on social media or hearsay. Seek assistance from a qualified immigration attorney to understand your options—whether filing for lawful status, applying for permanent residence, or initiating a citizenship track.
Alongside fellow immigration attorney Allison Chan, Grafton urged individuals and families to consult with licensed immigration lawyers instead of relying on viral posts or word-of-mouth advice.
“You need someone who’s going to walk through your immigration history and tell you exactly what’s available to you,” Grafton explained.
The attorneys at Fay Grafton Nuñez PLLC specialize in navigating complex immigration cases, helping clients pursue relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, lawful permanent residency, and naturalization.
In a time where fear often outweighs facts, Rebekah Grafton’s interview serves as a vital reminder: information is power. By separating misinformation from legal reality, her message provides reassurance—and a clear call to action: get informed, stay calm, and know your rights.
In a landscape where policy rapidly changes—and misinformation spreads even faster—Rebekah Grafton’s appearance on ABC11 WTVD served as a credible counterbalance. Her message is clear: stay informed, assert your legal rights, and work within the system to protect yourself and your family.
You can view the full segment here:👉 ABC11 WTVD: Immigration attorneys discuss ICE and rights
Actual Viewing On WTVD RALEIGH, N.C. — As 700 Marines from Twentynine Palms, CA, were dispersed to Los Angeles to respond to the growing unrest amid recent ICE raids and protests, local immigration attorneys in North Carolina are speaking up about the situation and educating others on their rights and how to navigate the judicial system.
Their comments come as social media and other websites can be a hotbed for misinformation that can lead to fear, panic, and confusion.
“It’s hard. And the reality is that if ICE has someone as a target, they’re going to know where they frequent. They’re going to know where they are,” said practicing immigration attorney Rebekah Grafton, partner at Raleigh-based Fay Grafton Nunez law firm.”
Grafton has been working exclusively on immigration cases for more than 15 years now and continually advises clients of their rights as they navigate the judicial system.
“If you ask any of my clients, I’ll tell them we’re working on a broken system, but we have to work with what we have,” she said.
According to Grafton, the difference between the Trump administration and the Obama-Biden is that the former “has been going after everybody.”
“Obama had that nickname, Deporter in Chief. And that floated around for a while because his deportation numbers were high. And that was because he focused his efforts on a particular class of people,” said Grafton. “He really focused on folks who had criminal records, folks who’d recently entered the United States. And so if you’d been here for ten years…we don’t need to worry about trying to deport you. When you focus your efforts like that, you can get people through that docket pretty quickly.”
Grafton said the docket was “clogged” with all types of cases, many of which do not involve people with a criminal background or record.
“But now, of course, Trump’s been able to kind of strong arm some of those countries into taking folks, coming up with some other ways of trying to get people out of the US, even if it’s not to their home country,” added Grafton.
She also said that undocumented immigrants are not required to identify themselves if they come into contact with ICE agents. However, she said, “The most important question is where were you born. Because as soon as you tell an ICE officer you were born somewhere other than the United States, that gives them jurisdiction to move forward in determining what your immigration status is.”
Meanwhile, immigration attorney William Vasquez questions the Trump administration’s approach and what he said it’s doing to the immigration community.
Vasquez is referring to temporary protected status (TPS) that allows protection and immunity of sorts for individuals who have been in the United States for less than two years, and their cases are currently pending. Immigration advocates have been accusing the Trump administration of ignoring that protection and the due process people are afforded.
“When you’re going after families and children and people that are not criminals, then it becomes a different topic, a different subject. And is it who we are as Americans?” asked Vasquez. “These people have done what they needed to do. They have gone to court, and they have filed their asylum. And what they’re doing is they’re closing their cases, taking that protection of that asylum away from them. And then they’re being picked up as soon as they’re walking out of the court and being removed without having that due process,” he said.
Additionally, Raleigh-based immigration attorney Allison Chan recommends, “For anyone who encounters ICE, remember to remain calm and do not panic. You have a right to remain silent, and you have a right to refuse to be searched. You do not have to discuss your immigration status with police or immigration agents. Do not ever lie or present any false documentation to law enforcement. Never sign anything if you do not understand what it is or without the advice of a lawyer. If you have a lawyer, tell ICE to contact your lawyer. If you have a pending application with USCIS, a work permit, or you’re a lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card holder) or a naturalization U.S. citizen, you should carry a copy of the receipt notice or those documents with you at all times.”
Chan recognizes the sensitivity of the issue at hand that affects thousands of people in North Carolina and across the country.
“We recommend anyone who is in a difficult immigration situation to see a competent immigration attorney. It’s important to get your immigration status in order and to start the process for a pathway to permanent residence status and eventually citizenship,” said Chan. “It’s true that ICE has been more aggressive in detaining and removing certain individuals, but there is still due process that exists in removal proceedings. It’s important not to rely on social media or a non-attorney’s advice for immigration advice, given the ongoing changing policies and the amount of misinformation today. There are generally options available for relief, even for the most seemingly complicated cases.”
Link To Article From ABC 11 – https://abc11.com/post/immigration-laws-north-carolina-attorneys-discuss-knowing-rights-current-landscape/16716831/
