Charlotte Immigration Attorney Featured in The Charlotte Observer

Mary Lynn Tedesco, a Charlotte immigration attorney with Tedesco Legal, was quoted in The Charlotte Observer on September 16, 2026. The story, written by reporter Nick Sullivan, looks at how ICE enforcement is affecting people with pending asylum cases in the Charlotte area.

Tedesco does not represent the family profiled in the article, and she did not speak to their case. The Observer asked for her professional perspective on what she is seeing across her Charlotte immigration practice. This page summarizes her comments, adds context, and answers common questions for families facing an ICE check-in.

What the Charlotte Observer story is about

The article follows a family from Union County who fled Russia in 2022 and applied for asylum in the United States. They had attended every required ICE check-in since arriving. At their most recent appointment in August 2026, the father was detained and sent to a detention center in Georgia, while the rest of the family went home. The family had received a letter from USCIS saying they could remain in the country while their asylum application was decided.

The reporter used the family’s experience to examine a wider shift in enforcement, and that is where Tedesco’s comments come in.

What Mary Lynn Tedesco told The Observer

Tedesco explained that under earlier administrations, including the first Trump administration, ICE generally did not arrest people in this situation. That is no longer her experience. In her words, “They’re reporting as they are supposed to,” and ICE is still detaining people because their cases are pending.

She also described how the change has reshaped her work. Before last year, she was in court roughly every other month and worked directly with DHS attorneys to decide which cases were worth using court resources on. She said that communication ended in 2025. Since then, she is in court three to four times a week for emergency hearings, often for clients she had never seen targeted for removal before.

Many of her clients are confused, she said, because they believed they were doing everything correctly. Unfortunately, she told the paper, that does not necessarily protect them right now.

Why a pending asylum case is not a guarantee

This is one of the most confusing parts of the immigration system for families. A pending asylum application generally allows a person to remain in the United States while the case is decided. But as the article explains, having a case pending is closer to a waiting period than to secure legal status.

In a statement to The Observer, ICE said that a pending application does not by itself give someone lawful immigration status or prevent detention while immigration proceedings continue. The article also notes that immigration court backlogs mean families can wait years for a hearing.

The Observer cited reporting from The New York Times showing that ICE recorded nearly 50,000 arrests in July 2026, a record for the second Trump term. According to that reporting, fewer than 4% of those cases involved someone with a past violent criminal conviction, and most involved people with no criminal history at all.

What families in Charlotte can do to prepare

Every situation is different, and this is general information, not legal advice. These are common-sense steps many families discuss with their attorney.

1. Talk to an immigration attorney before the check-in, not after. If something goes wrong at the appointment, having a lawyer already in place saves valuable time.
2. Keep your documents together. Know where your case paperwork, USCIS notices, and identification are stored, and make sure a trusted family member knows too.
3. Share your attorney’s contact information. Family members should know who to call if you do not come home.
4. Plan for your family. If you are a parent, think through who can care for your children and handle finances if you are detained.

Can ICE detain someone whose asylum case is still pending?
Yes, it is possible. A pending case does not by itself prevent detention, which is why speaking with an attorney about your specific situation matters.

What should I do before an ICE check-in?
Consult an immigration attorney before the appointment. They can review your case, explain what to expect, and help you prepare.

What should I do if a family member is detained?
Contact an immigration attorney right away. Timing can matter for bond requests and court filings.

Does a letter from USCIS saying I can stay mean I cannot be detained?
Not necessarily. As the Observer story shows, a notice that you may remain in the country while your case is decided does not always stop ICE from taking someone into custody. An attorney can explain how it applies to your case.

About Tedesco Legal

Mary Lynn Tedesco is a Charlotte, North Carolina immigration attorney and the founder of Tedesco Legal. The firm helps individuals and families with immigration matters, including asylum and other cases that involve ICE and the immigration courts.

If you or someone you love has an ICE check-in coming up, or you need help understanding your options, contact Tedesco Legal to schedule a consultation.

Read the original story: “His family fled war for life asylum in Charlotte. Now, he’s sleeping in ICE jail,” by Nick Sullivan, The Charlotte Observer, September 16, 2026.