Dr. Lisa Anderson, a 58-year-old physician from Cromwell, Connecticut, was taken aback upon receiving an email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructing her to “leave the United States immediately.” Born in Pennsylvania and a lifelong U.S. citizen, Dr. Anderson has no history of immigration violations or legal issues.
The email, which bore the subject line “Notice of Termination of Parole,” stated that failure to depart would result in law enforcement actions. Initially suspecting it to be spam, Dr. Anderson confirmed its authenticity and has since sought legal counsel. She now carries her passport at all times, concerned about potential repercussions.
DHS officials acknowledged that such emails might have been erroneously sent to unintended recipients. They explained that if a non-citizen provided a U.S. citizen’s contact information—such as an attorney or associate—the system might have dispatched the notice to that individual. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reportedly monitoring the situation and addressing issues on a case-by-case basis.
This incident follows a similar case involving Nicole Micheroni, a U.S.-born immigration attorney from Massachusetts, who received an identical email from DHS. Both women, despite their clear citizenship status, are now navigating the complexities of immigration enforcement errors.
Local officials have expressed concern over these occurrences. Cromwell Mayor James Demetriades labeled the incident as a “clear administrative error” and urged for immediate rectification. State Senator Matt Lesser described the situation as “shocking and outrageous,” emphasizing the need for accountability.
Dr. Anderson’s experience underscores the potential pitfalls of automated enforcement systems and the importance of accurate data management within federal agencies.
