Contrary to reports, U.S. immigration authorities have denied detaining or deporting a Chilean man holding a green card. The Morning Call of Allentown, Pennsylvania, initially reported that 82-year-old Luis Leon was deported to Guatemala after visiting a Philadelphia immigration office to replace his lost green card. However, the Department of Homeland Security stated it has no record of Leon attending an appointment and that he entered the U.S. legally in 2015. Furthermore, the Guatemalan Migration Institute confirmed that no one matching Leon’s details was deported from the United States.
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Following an increase in arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside immigration court hearings, volunteers are taking action to assist those at risk of deportation. These volunteers, including faith leaders, students, and retirees, provide moral and logistical support to immigrants and families, often helping them prepare for potential detention. Legal aid groups are also adapting to the changing landscape, as government officials are asking judges to dismiss cases, which leads to immediate arrests. Despite facing challenges and potential legal consequences, volunteers are recording detentions and aiding families in navigating the immigration system.
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A recent CBS News poll reveals a shift in public opinion regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The majority of Americans believe the administration is deporting more people than expected, including those who are not dangerous criminals, a view supported by data showing the majority of ICE detainees lack criminal convictions. Support for the administration’s deportation plans has waned overall, while a majority disapprove of the use of detention facilities. Additionally, the public is increasingly frustrated with the administration’s economic policies, particularly its focus on tariffs and handling of inflation, and a large majority want the Justice Department to release all information regarding the Epstein case.
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An 82-year-old Chilean national, Luis Leon, was detained by ICE after losing his green card and was subsequently moved to Guatemala, leaving his family to search for him for weeks. Initial attempts to locate Leon included contacting various agencies and even a morgue after the family was falsely told he was deceased. This week, the family learned of his relocation and hospitalization in Guatemala City, with his granddaughter planning a visit, and it is currently unclear why he was sent there. Leon was granted political asylum in 1987 and has a clean record, yet his case reflects a broader issue as over 56,800 individuals are currently held in ICE detention, with the majority having no criminal convictions.
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Germany recently deported 81 Afghan nationals with criminal records back to Afghanistan, marking the second such operation since the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Interior Ministry confirmed the deportations, emphasizing that those returned were legally required to leave and had come to the attention of judicial authorities. This action aligns with Chancellor Merz’s new government’s stricter stance on immigration, which includes enhanced border checks and a suspension of family reunification for many migrants. Despite these measures and warnings from human rights groups, deportations continue, with the government citing declining asylum applications as evidence of its successful strategy.
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The United States has deported five individuals convicted of serious crimes to Eswatini, expanding a controversial third-country deportation program. These individuals, citizens of various nations, were reportedly considered too dangerous for their home countries to accept. The Eswatini government confirmed the men were in transit, to be returned to their countries of origin with the aid of the U.S. and the U.N. migration agency. This practice has sparked criticism due to Eswatini’s human rights record and the secretive nature of such agreements, as well as concerns about the individuals’ safety upon return.
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An appeals court has intervened to maintain work and deportation protections for nearly 12,000 Afghan nationals in the U.S., which were slated to expire under the Department of Homeland Security’s decision. The court’s stay, prompted by a lawsuit from a non-profit immigrant advocacy group, will remain in effect for one week while the court considers the case. The lawsuit challenged the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, who were initially deemed safe to return to their home country. The decision to end TPS has faced criticism, especially considering that many of the Afghans provided assistance to U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.
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With $75 billion in new funding, ICE will expand its operations to round up and deport millions of people over the next few years. This influx of money will lead to increased enforcement, potentially targeting long-term residents and those with minor infractions, similar to the arrest quotas seen in police states. Detention centers are planned to hold approximately 120,000 people daily, indicating a vast expansion of the existing system. The new policies will lead to the deportation of migrants working in fields not protected by the current administration. Despite the potential for pushback, the funding for ICE seems secure, with little expectation of cuts.
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The Intercept revealed that ICE deceived eight men, who were convicted criminals, by telling them they were being transferred to another ICE facility in Louisiana, when in reality they were being deported to South Sudan. The men were held in a shipping container on a U.S. military base in Djibouti before being expelled to South Sudan, a country plagued by violence. Members of Congress condemned ICE’s actions, calling them cruel and a violation of international law, particularly given the lack of due process and the dangerous conditions in South Sudan. The Trump administration, however, defended the deportations, while South Sudan’s foreign ministry stated the agreement was part of broader cooperation. This incident highlights the U.S.’s practice of deporting immigrants to third countries with no ties to them and the secret deals being made to expand this practice.
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On Thursday morning, 15-year-old Juan Martinez received a call from his mother, who reported that ICE agents were at her workplace, Glass House Farms. His mother was subsequently taken into custody during the ICE raid and has not contacted him since. Martinez is now left caring for his two younger siblings while awaiting news about his mother’s situation and potential deportation. Another undocumented Glass House employee, Alexa’s mother, was also apprehended during the raid but was later released from custody after seeking medical attention while pregnant; they are now fearful of further action. An attorney representing the families notes that ICE is no longer using discretion, as they did in prior administrations, and is taking everyone.
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John Q. Hosedrinker