According to reports, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has detained a legal migrant in Ohio. This individual had been working in the United States for 30 years. The detention occurred as part of the mass deportation operation initiated by President Donald Trump.
Newsweek has emailed both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Simakovsky Law, the legal migrant’s legal team, for comment.
Why It Matters
President Trump’s successful 2024 campaign heavily focused on immigration and mass deportations. Since the start of his second term, authorities have apprehended hundreds of undocumented immigrants.
Under the current administration, ICE has been granted increased authority in immigration enforcement. This includes the ability to carry out raids in locations such as places of worship, schools, and hospitals.
Critics argue that immigration raids are instilling fear within vulnerable communities and infringing upon protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Concerns such as warrantless arrests, unauthorized data collection, and detentions without probable cause raise constitutional questions and may lead to legal disputes regarding the delicate balance between immigration enforcement and individual rights.
According to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Ipsos from January 2 to 10, it was found that a majority of Americans are in favor of the president’s mass deportation plans. The poll revealed that 55 percent of voters either strongly or somewhat supported these plans. Furthermore, an overwhelming 88 percent of respondents supported the deportation of immigrants who are in the country illegally and have criminal records.
What To Know
According to a report from local news station WBNS 10TV, ICE detained a man on Tuesday, January 28, but later released him.
According to his immigration lawyer, Inna Simakovsky, the man, who is originally from Mexico, is legally present in the United States.
According to Simakovsky, when he spoke to WBNS 10TV, he mentioned that the person in question was informed that he had one week to settle his matters before being deported to Mexico.
According to WBNS 10TV, Simakovsky has confirmed that he possesses a valid visa. The report states that the man was released later on the same evening.
The daughter of the detained man took to Facebook to express her frustration, stating that the ICE agents had received incorrect information about her family’s immigration case. This incident highlights the inherent unfairness of the immigration system, as individuals are easily targeted and detained without a proper understanding of their circumstances.
After living in this country for three decades, working hard, paying taxes, and abiding by the laws, he was taken aback when ICE agents unexpectedly showed up to “have a conversation” with him. They made it clear that if he didn’t cooperate, they would use it against him. Despite our insistence to see the warrant for his arrest, they refused to show us and insisted that it would be better to discuss it with an ICE agent in person. They proceeded to handcuff him and escort him away.
Since assuming office, President Trump’s administration has implemented stricter immigration policies, resulting in a notable increase in daily arrests by ICE. In an effort to provide transparency, the agency has taken to social media platform X to share daily arrest statistics. In a recent post, ICE reported a total of 969 arrests made on January 28.
What People Are Saying
According to Simakovsky, he stated to WBNS 10TV that the migrant’s family attempted to provide immigration authorities with evidence of his work permit and immigration paperwork.
During a White House Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the consequences for foreign nationals attempting to enter the United States illegally. Leavitt stated, “Think again. Under this president, you will be detained and you will be deported. Every day, the safety of Americans is enhanced as President Trump’s administration removes violent criminals from our communities.”
What Happens Next
The Trump administration intends to persist in executing its strict immigration agenda, signaling the likelihood of ongoing arrests.
The ICE raids are expected to result in legal challenges and an uptick in organizing efforts by advocacy groups.