The recent deportation of three U.S. citizen children along with their undocumented mothers has generated intense controversy in the United States, especially among the Hispanic community.
The minors, aged 2, 4 and 7, were expelled from the country without due process, which has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations and legal experts.
Details of deportations
The cases occurred in New Orleans, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained the families during routine checks.
The mothers, who had resided in the U.S. for years, were arrested and deported along with their U.S. citizen children.
One of the children, age 4, has stage 4 cancer and was deported without access to medical treatment.
In another case, a 2-year-old girl born in New Orleans was deported to Honduras along with her mother, even though her father filed an emergency petition to avoid deportation.
Government defense and criticism
Tom Homan, White House advisor on immigration issues, defended the actions by stating that the mothers chose to take their children with them, and that the government does not deport U.S. citizens.
However, lawyers and human rights advocates argue that the mothers did not have adequate access to legal counsel and were pressured to make decisions without fully understanding the consequences.
Legal and constitutional implications
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees citizenship to all persons born on U.S. soil, regardless of the immigration status of their parents.
Legal experts say that deportation of U.S. citizens without due process could be unconstitutional.
A federal judge in Louisiana has scheduled a hearing for May 16 to investigate the legality of these deportations
Concern in the Hispanic community
Buzzy
These incidents have generated concern among Hispanic families in the United States, many of whom have members with different immigration statuses.
Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have urged ICE to allow deported mothers to return so that they can exercise their right to due process.
The situation highlights the need for a comprehensive review of immigration and deportation policies, especially in cases involving U.S. citizens.
The Hispanic community and civil rights organizations continue to advocate for fair procedures and respect for the constitutional rights of all residents of the country.
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