Federal judge suspects 2-year old US citizen was deported unlawfully

A federal judge raised concerns on Friday about the deportation of a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras by the Trump administration, alleging that the process lacked substantial oversight. The child, known as “V.M.L” in legal documents, was taken into custody alongside her undocumented mother and sister during a routine immigration check in New Orleans.

Upon discovering his family’s detention, the child’s father urgently contacted immigration officials to clarify that V.M.L, being a U.S. citizen, should not be deported. However, he was later informed by an ICE officer that the family would be deported promptly, without enough time for communication.

Following this, the father was advised by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official that he could attempt to retrieve V.M.L but would also face detention. Subsequently, a family acquaintance who was granted temporary custody of the child, sought a temporary restraining order to secure her immediate release, citing the harm caused by her detention.

The Justice Department countered the restraining order request, asserting that it was in the child’s best interest to remain in her mother’s custody, emphasizing that being a U.S. citizen, she was not at risk of significant harm. It was noted that she was free to enter the United States, disputing claims of imminent danger.

Before any ruling was made on the temporary restraining order, the child, alongside her mother and sister, were deported to Honduras, as indicated in court documents. The ACLU remarked on the abrupt deportation of V.M.L and two other U.S. citizen minors in a separate case, expressing concerns about due process violations associated with their removal.

In response to these events, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty attempted to contact the child’s mother to ascertain her intent regarding her child’s deportation. However, government lawyers informed him that the mother had been released in Honduras, preventing direct communication.

The involvement of a federal judge in questioning the circumstances surrounding the deportation of a 2-year-old U.S. citizen underscores the complexities and potential pitfalls within the immigration system. The case highlights the critical need for robust safeguards to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals, especially children, who may be subject to immigration enforcement actions.