U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported a single father of six U.S. citizen children to Mexico after he had lived in the United States for more than 34 years, according to Newsweek.
The man’s attorney, Rosalio Vasquez Miave, stated that his client was arrested on September 15 while dropping his children off at school, after an ICE vehicle stopped his car. This occurred despite him having a valid work permit, a legal driver’s license, and being the sole provider for his six children.
VAWA Application and ICE Enforcement
Vasquez Miave explained that his client had applied for legal relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which also covers parents and guardians of U.S. children in cases of neglect, abuse, or abandonment, and was awaiting a final decision at the time of his arrest.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLoughlin stated that Vasquez Miave had previously been deported to Mexico in 2000 and later re-entered the U.S. illegally. She emphasized that pending applications do not confer legal status, and his final removal order had been reinstated.
VAWA Application and ICE Enforcement
The attorney noted that his client was detained for over two weeks without access to his prescribed medications for high blood pressure and anxiety, negatively affecting his physical and mental health, especially due to his sudden separation from his children.
Later, the six children were forced to travel to Mexico to reunite with their father, with the temporary care of an elderly family friend in the U.S.
The case highlights the toughened immigration policies during the Trump administration, as the Department of Homeland Security reported more than 605,000 deportations since January, sparking growing human rights concerns over the impact on families and U.S. citizen children.