Federal Judge Questions Legality of Deportation of US Citizen Toddler

A federal judge is investigating the deportation of a two-year-old US citizen, suggesting her removal alongside her mother to Honduras may have violated legal protocols. The case emerges amid heightened deportation efforts under the Trump administration, prompting legal scrutiny and calls for protection of citizens.

A federal judge in Louisiana has raised serious concerns regarding the deportation of a two-year-old US citizen, referred to as VML, who may have been sent to Honduras without adequate legal proceedings. This case comes against the backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement and deportations following Donald Trump's return to the presidency. In a court filing, Judge Terry Doughty asserted a "strong suspicion" that VML was deported "with no meaningful process," highlighting the potential constitutional violations involved.

The family was apprehended during a scheduled immigration visit in New Orleans on April 22, after which they were expelled. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that the mother opted to take her children along with her back to Honduras, a common scenario according to their officials. Despite the procedures followed, Judge Doughty attempted to arrange communication with the child's mother, only to learn that she had already been released in Honduras, raising further alarms regarding the due process followed during their detention.

The immigration status of VML's mother, father, and sister remains uncertain; however, VML's status as a US citizen infers protections against deportation. Judge Doughty emphasized, "It is illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or recommend deportation of a US citizen," underscoring serious legal implications for the actions taken by immigration officials. A hearing is scheduled for May 19, aimed at clarifying the situation surrounding VML's deportation and addressing the potential failure of the government's immigration procedures.

In a separate yet similar case in Florida, a Cuban woman with a US citizen husband was also detained and sent back to Cuba, prompting concern over humanitarian grounds and custody of her child who has health issues. The increasing number of deportations linked to the Trump administration has sparked significant legal challenges, as illustrated by the high-profile case of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was mistakenly deported yet is now denied re-entry despite Supreme Court instructions for his return. These cases reflect the ongoing complexities and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement and the rights of US citizens.