Deportations in the U.S. extend to mothers and children

Reports indicate that the U.S. government deported a 2-year-old American citizen without any meaningful process. In another case, authorities expelled the mother of a 1-year-old girl, separating them indefinitely. 

Attorneys for the two cases—one in Louisiana and the other in Florida—state that their clients were detained during routine check-ins at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices, with practically no opportunity to speak with them or their families. 

These cases are the latest examples of the crackdown on migrants in the U.S., including green card holders and even citizens by birth or naturalization. 

The Guardian reported that this unconventional policy and persistent avoidance of legal processes have led to conflicts with U.S. constitutional law. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Immigration Project, and several other groups stated that such actions constitute an abuse of power and are shocking. 

Terry Doughty, a U.S. District Judge in Monroe, Louisiana, said the 2-year-old girl, referred to as VML in court documents, was transferred to Honduras along with her mother, who had been deported. 

The judge stated, “Deportation, detention for the purpose of deportation, or recommending the deportation of a U.S. citizen is illegal and unconstitutional.” 

Migrants with pending cases, those awaiting appeals, or parole have typically been required to regularly check in with ICE, sometimes for years. 

Previously, migrants could generally continue their lives in the U.S. as long as they did not violate regulations or commit crimes. 

Now, amid the U.S. government’s push for widespread detention and deportation of migrants, checking in with ICE has become increasingly perilous for them.