Three children who are US citizens, including a 4-year-old receiving treatment for metastatic cancer, were taken to Honduras with their mothers, who were deported last week, according to the families’ attorneys and civil rights and immigration advocacy organizations. In one case, a mother was deported and took her 2-year-old child with her, while the other involves another mother deported and her 4- and 7-year-old children went with her, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Project, among other organizations, said in a news release Friday. All were detained when the women attended routine meetings with officials in Louisiana as part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, or ISAP, according to their attorneys and court records. Taken together, the families’ advocates say their removals from the United States underscore concerns about a lack of due process amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. In a court filing, the Trump administration claims the mother of 2-year-old requested to take her child with her to Honduras citing a handwritten note allegedly written in Spanish. Gracie Willis, a lawyer and the raids response coordinator at the National Immigration Project, who represents the 2-year-old through a family friend acting as the petitioner in the ongoing court case denies the mother was given a choice. “We are seeing in real time due process eroded,” said Willis. “That is deeply concerning and these cases are an illustration of that.” In both cases the mothers had a final order of deportation, the DHS said in a news release on Wednesday. “Rather than separate their families, ICE asked the mothers if they wanted to be removed with their children or if they wanted ICE to place the children with someone safe the parent designates,” the statement said. Both mothers chose to be deported with their children, it added. CNN previously reported on the case of the 2-year-old — identified in court records as V.M.L. — who was taken into custody by ICE April 22 with her mother and 11-year-old sister while “attending a routine check-in,” according to an emergency petition filed in federal court. The judge said the mother was undocumented but set a hearing for May 16 regarding the child, noting “It is illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or recommend deportation of a U.S. citizen,” citing a 2012 deportation case. The second case is a close echo: The mother was detained Thursday after she took her children to an ISAP check-in in Saint Rose, just outside New Orleans, according to her attorney, Erin Hebert. The mother, who has lived in south Louisiana for more than a decade but did not have lawful status, was asked to bring the two children and their passports to the appointment, Hebert told CNN Sunday. On their arrival, however, Hebert said she was not allowed to accompany the family to the meeting. About 20 to 30 minutes later, Hebert was informed the family had been detained, but officials refused to tell her where they were taken. Hebert later learned after speaking with her client, two ICE officers were waiting for the family at the appointment, she told CNN. Hebert then went to ICE’s New Orleans field office, where she said she filed a stay of removal she had prepared in advance of her client’s meeting, hoping to keep them in the country. Over the course of the day, she repeatedly contacted the office to ask where they were being held but said she was not given a response. Early Friday morning, the family was placed on a plane, Hebert said, and taken to Honduras. “My clients were deported within 24 hours of being detained with no access to me,” Hebert said. Attorney disputes government claim of handwritten note According to Willis, both women had removal orders issued in their absence, meaning they had missed a court proceeding about their immigration cases and a judge subsequently issued a deportation order. “Something prevented them from being present at one single court date,” Willis said, “and because of that, the judge entered an order of deportation for them.” Trump border czar Tom Homan and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both said in interviews Sunday morning that the mother chose to take her child with her when she was deported. “If someone’s in this country unlawfully, illegally, that person gets deported. If that person is with a 2-year-old child, or has a 2-year-old child and says, ‘I want to take my child … with me,’ well then … you have two choices,” Rubio said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “You can say, yes, of course. You can take your child, whether they’re a citizen or not, because it’s your child,” Rubio said, “or you can say, yes, you can go, but your child must stay behind.” Willis, however, rejected the suggestion that V.M.L.’s mother, who is also pregnant, wanted to take her child to Honduras. The handwritten note, she said, “is not a statement of desire.” Willis denied either mother was given a choice, telling CNN Sunday both wanted their children to remain in the United States. The 4-year-old, for instance, was still receiving cancer treatment, Willis noted. Additionally, both women had family in the United States, according to Willis and Hebert. “These are mothers, these are pregnant women. These are children,” Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana told CNN Sunday. “These are people with terminally ill or very serious medical conditions who were law-abiding residents, who were checking in with ICE as they had been instructed to do under orders of supervision.” “If ICE can do this to these mothers and these children, if ICE can do this to students on college campuses … none of us are safe from this kind of lawlessness,” she said. This story has been updated to clarify the methods by which the children exited the US.
3 children who are US citizens — including one with cancer — deported with their mothers, lawyers and advocacy groups say
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Deportation of US Citizen Children Raises Due Process Concerns Amid Immigration Enforcement"
CNN
6.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Three children who are U.S. citizens, including a 4-year-old undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, were deported to Honduras along with their mothers last week, according to reports from family attorneys and civil rights organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Project stated that the deportations occurred after the mothers attended routine check-ins with immigration officials in Louisiana as part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP). In one case, a mother was separated from her 2-year-old child during the check-in, while another mother was deported with her 4- and 7-year-old children. Advocates claim these removals highlight significant concerns regarding due process amid the Trump administration's strict immigration policies. They argue that the mothers were not adequately informed of their rights or given a genuine choice regarding their children's futures, with one attorney stating, "We are seeing in real time due process eroded."
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that both mothers had final deportation orders due to missed court appearances, which advocates contest, arguing that their absence was not voluntary. Lawyers for the families have challenged the government's assertion that the mothers chose to take their children with them, asserting instead that both women wanted their children to remain in the United States for medical and familial reasons. The deportations occurred rapidly, with one family being placed on a plane to Honduras within 24 hours of detention, without access to legal counsel during that time. The incident has raised alarm among immigrant rights advocates, who emphasize the vulnerability of families in similar situations, asserting that if such actions can be taken against these mothers and children, then no one is safe from potential deportation under current immigration enforcement practices. The ACLU of Louisiana's executive director condemned the actions as indicative of broader issues of lawlessness within immigration enforcement, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by families involved in these deportations.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent article highlights a troubling situation involving the deportation of three U.S. citizen children, including a 4-year-old with cancer, alongside their mothers. This situation raises significant concerns about immigration policies and due process in the United States, particularly under the previous administration.
Purpose of the Article
The article seeks to shed light on the implications of current immigration practices, particularly how they affect vulnerable populations, such as children. By emphasizing the deportation of U.S. citizen children, especially one undergoing cancer treatment, the article aims to provoke emotional responses and raise awareness about potential injustices within the immigration system. This aligns with the goals of advocacy groups that are fighting for the rights of immigrants and citizens alike.
Public Perception
The narrative is likely intended to foster outrage and concern among the public regarding the treatment of families in the immigration system. By detailing the circumstances surrounding the deportation, it appeals to the audience’s sense of justice and compassion, potentially swaying public opinion against current immigration policies.
Omitted Information
While the article focuses on the emotional and legal aspects of the deportation, it may downplay the complexities of immigration laws and the reasons behind the mothers' deportation orders. There might be additional context regarding their immigration status or previous legal issues that could provide a fuller picture of the situation, which the article does not address.
Manipulative Elements
The article contains elements that can be seen as manipulative, particularly in the emotional framing of the children's health issues. The language used aims to evoke sympathy and moral outrage, which could lead to a bias in how the information is perceived. By emphasizing the plight of a sick child, the article may inadvertently simplify the broader immigration debate.
Truthfulness of the Content
While the facts presented, such as the deportation of U.S. citizen children and the involvement of advocacy groups, appear to be accurate, the article's framing may skew the reader's understanding. The portrayal of the mothers’ choices and the circumstances surrounding their deportation raises questions about the completeness of the narrative.
Social Implications
The implications of this article could lead to increased advocacy for immigration reform and a more humane approach to deportations. It may prompt public protests or push lawmakers to reconsider current policies, particularly those affecting children and families.
Support Base
This article resonates primarily with communities advocating for immigrant rights, healthcare access, and social justice. It appeals to those who prioritize humanitarian concerns and the protection of vulnerable populations, potentially mobilizing support for related causes.
Economic and Political Impact
While the article does not directly address economic implications, the ongoing debates surrounding immigration can influence market sentiments, particularly in sectors reliant on immigrant labor. Politically, this narrative can shape the discourse in upcoming elections, affecting candidates' positions on immigration.
Global Power Dynamics
In a broader context, this article relates to the ongoing global discussions about immigration and human rights. It reflects the tensions within the U.S. immigration system and its implications for international perceptions of the country’s commitment to human rights.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
There is no direct indication that artificial intelligence was used in the writing of this article. However, AI tools might aid in gathering data or organizing information. The framing and narrative choices suggest a human touch aimed at eliciting specific emotional responses rather than an AI-generated neutrality.
Conclusion on Reliability
The article is based on factual events, but its emotional framing and selective emphasis on certain details may affect its overall reliability. While the key facts are likely accurate, the interpretation and presentation can lead to a biased understanding of the situation.