Three children who are US citizens were deported to Honduras with their mothers last week, including a 4-year-old receiving treatment for metastatic cancer, according to the families’ attorneys and civil rights and immigration advocacy organizations. In one case, a mother was deported with her 2-year-old, while the other involves another mother deported with her 4- and 7-year-olds, 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. “We are seeing in real time due process eroded,” said 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. “That is deeply concerning and these cases are an illustration of that.” CNN has reached out to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for comment. 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 Tuesday 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’s deportation, 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.” In court filings, the government said the mother of the 2-year-old had requested to take her child with her to Honduras, citing a handwritten note purportedly written by the mother in Spanish. Trump border czar Tom Homan and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both echoed the claim in interviews Sunday morning. “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.
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 U.S. Citizen Children and Mothers Raises Due Process Concerns"
CNN
6.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Last week, three U.S. citizen children, including a 4-year-old undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer, were deported to Honduras alongside their mothers, according to attorneys and civil rights organizations. The incidents unfolded when the mothers attended routine check-ins with immigration officials in Louisiana as part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Project highlighted the cases, emphasizing concerns over due process amidst the Trump administration's immigration policies. Gracie Willis, a lawyer representing one of the mothers, expressed alarm at the erosion of due process, noting that these cases illustrate significant flaws in the system. The children were reportedly detained during these check-ins, raising questions about the legality of their deportation, especially given the child's medical condition and the absence of their mothers from prior court proceedings that led to removal orders against them.
The deportation process was swift and troubling, with the families being removed within 24 hours of their detention, often without access to legal counsel. Attorneys for the families have contested the government's claims regarding the mothers' supposed consent to take their children to Honduras, arguing that the handwritten note cited by officials does not reflect a genuine desire to leave the U.S. Furthermore, both mothers had been compliant with immigration regulations, regularly checking in with ICE as instructed. Advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Louisiana, have condemned the actions of ICE, stating that these incidents highlight a broader pattern of lawlessness that could affect many vulnerable individuals. They argue that if mothers and children facing serious health issues can be treated this way, it raises fears about the safety of all immigrant families under current immigration enforcement practices.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a troubling situation involving the deportation of three U.S. citizen children, including one who is critically ill, alongside their mothers. This news raises significant concerns regarding immigration policies and the treatment of families within the United States, particularly during the Trump administration's stricter immigration enforcement.
Purpose Behind the Publication
The intent behind this article appears to be to draw attention to the perceived injustices within the U.S. immigration system. By focusing on the human impact of these policies, particularly on children with serious health issues, the article seeks to galvanize public opinion against the current immigration practices. Advocates and lawyers are quoted to reinforce the narrative of due process erosion, suggesting a systemic issue within immigration enforcement that affects vulnerable populations.
Public Perception
The article aims to evoke empathy and outrage from the public regarding the deportation of children, especially those who are U.S. citizens. By emphasizing the situation of a child with cancer, it highlights the emotional and ethical implications of such actions. The use of personal stories creates a more relatable and impactful narrative that may sway public sentiment against the current administration's policies.
Omissions and Bias
While the article presents a compelling narrative, it may downplay broader contexts such as the legal frameworks surrounding immigration enforcement or the complexities involved in individual cases. This selective focus could lead to a one-dimensional view of immigration issues, potentially obscuring arguments in favor of stricter enforcement or the reasons behind these policies.
Manipulative Elements
The emotional weight of the story, particularly the inclusion of a child suffering from cancer, can be seen as a manipulative tactic to generate a strong emotional response from readers. This choice of language and framing is likely designed to elicit sympathy and to challenge the morality of deportation practices, especially concerning U.S. citizens.
Truthfulness and Credibility
The information presented appears to be credible, as it references legal opinions and cases, including statements from organizations like the ACLU. However, the article's framing could lead some readers to view it as biased or emotionally charged rather than a purely factual account.
Community Support and Target Audience
This article is likely to resonate with communities advocating for immigrant rights, social justice, and healthcare access. The focus on children and health issues is particularly effective in engaging parents and families who may be concerned about the implications of immigration policy on vulnerable populations.
Impact on Society and Politics
The fallout from such stories can influence public opinion and potentially lead to political action or changes in policy. If the narrative gains traction, it could mobilize advocacy groups and lead to increased scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices, possibly affecting future legislation.
Economic and Market Considerations
While the immediate economic implications may be limited, prolonged media attention on immigration issues can impact sectors reliant on immigrant labor or influence stock market sentiments related to companies perceived as politically sensitive in their hiring practices.
Global Power Dynamics
This incident reflects ongoing debates over immigration policy in the U.S., which is a significant issue globally as many countries grapple with similar challenges. The article situates the U.S. immigration narrative within broader discussions about human rights and international law.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is no clear indication that AI was used in writing this article. However, if AI tools were involved, they might have guided the language choices or structure to enhance emotional engagement. Such tools could have helped in identifying impactful narratives or framing the story to align with audience concerns.
Conclusion
Overall, while the article presents a well-structured case against current immigration practices, it is essential to consider the potential biases and emotional manipulation present in its narrative. The focus on personal stories, particularly involving children, is a powerful tool in shaping public discourse around immigration.