Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish woman and legal US resident for over 30 years, was detained by ICE upon her return from visiting her ailing father in Ireland. Her detention stems from decades-old, expunged drug convictions that, while erased under state law, remain on her federal record. Currently held in a Tacoma, Washington ICE facility, Ward’s case has garnered attention from her family, who have launched a GoFundMe campaign, and her representative, US Representative Jimmy Panetta, who deemed her detention unacceptable. Ward awaits a court date on May 7th.
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Three families, including mothers and their US citizen children, were deported to Honduras after attending routine ICE check-ins. One case involved a 4-year-old receiving cancer treatment, and another a 2-year-old. Attorneys dispute government claims that the mothers requested to take their children, citing a lack of due process and the severe medical needs of one child. These deportations highlight concerns regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the potential for arbitrary removal of US citizens. Advocates argue the actions are unlawful and unconstitutional.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s deportation policies, asserting that due process applies to all in the U.S., while simultaneously justifying the deportation of undocumented immigrants, including those with U.S. citizen children. He characterized the deportation of children with their undocumented mothers as a consequence of the mothers’ illegal status, and disputed reports that the process lacked due process. Rubio further argued that the administration’s stricter approach to immigration stemmed from a need to curb the influx of undocumented migrants. Finally, he offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
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A federal judge expressed “strong suspicion” that a two-year-old US citizen, VML, was deported to Honduras with her mother without due process. The judge noted the illegality and unconstitutionality of deporting a US citizen without meaningful process and scheduled a hearing to investigate. While the Department of Homeland Security claims the mother chose to take the child, the judge’s concern highlights potential violations of the child’s rights. This case, along with a similar incident involving a breastfeeding infant, underscores concerns about due process within the context of increased deportations under the Trump administration.
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Abrego Garcia’s family’s lawsuit prompted urgent discussions within the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security regarding his deportation. Initial plans for his return were considered, but White House backlash led to a reversal, recasting his deportation as justified due to his alleged, yet unproven, MS-13 affiliation. This narrative shift transformed the case into a larger test of the administration’s power to deport individuals without due process. The lack of evidence supporting Trump’s claims became a central point of contention.
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In Charlottesville, Virginia, immigration authorities detained a man at the courthouse immediately following the dismissal of state charges against him. The detaining officers, who did not initially identify themselves or display a warrant, sparked concern over a lack of transparency and potential intimidation of courthouse attendees. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding whether proper identification was shown to courthouse bailiffs prior to the arrest. The incident prompted an investigation by the Commonwealth Attorney and a Freedom of Information Act request from state lawmakers, while protests erupted outside the courthouse in response. The public defender representing the detained man expressed worry over the chilling effect this event may have on court participation.
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Four House Democrats, self-funding their trip after Republicans blocked public funds, visited El Salvador to advocate for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and other individuals deported there under the Trump administration, defying a Supreme Court order. Their visit, spurred by Senator Van Hollen’s prior trip confirming Abrego Garcia’s survival, focused on securing proof of life and legal representation for detainees, including Andry José Hernández Romero. The delegation delivered letters to the State Department demanding action and emphasized the broader implications of the Trump administration’s actions for due process and the rule of law. This action highlights the ongoing struggle to address the plight of hundreds unjustly deported, even amidst other pressing domestic issues.
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A Maryland judge ordered the Trump administration to return Cristian, a Venezuelan asylum seeker deported to El Salvador in violation of a 2019 court settlement. The settlement protected unaccompanied minors with pending asylum claims from deportation until their cases were resolved. The judge’s order, citing a similar case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mandates the administration cooperate with Salvadoran authorities to facilitate Cristian’s return. The administration argued Cristian’s deportation was justified under the Alien Enemies Act due to alleged gang affiliation, a claim disputed by the plaintiffs. This ruling further escalates the conflict between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration enforcement.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jeopardized the safety of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s family by publicly posting his wife’s address on X, forcing them into a safe house. This action followed the administration’s controversial deportation of Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, despite prior court orders blocking his removal. The DHS justified the deportation using unsubstantiated allegations of criminality, claims disputed by his wife, who described the incident leading to a protective order as isolated and attributed to stress. Democratic officials and advocates criticize the process as a denial of due process.
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The Supreme Court narrowly ruled 5-4 that immigrants voluntarily departing the U.S. are granted deadline extensions for weekend or holiday deadlines. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Gorsuch, cited standard legal principles extending deadlines to the next business day. This decision reversed a Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling and remanded the case for further proceedings. Dissenting justices argued the Court lacked jurisdiction or that such an extension lacked justification. The case involved Hugo Abisai Monsalvo Velázquez, a Mexican national facing deportation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker