ICE is deporting crime survivors Congress has long protected; multi-state lawsuit challenges policy

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deporting survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other serious crimes, despite decades of congressional intent to shield them from deportation. A multi-state lawsuit, filed by organizations including the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law and Public Counsel, argues that recent ICE guidance rescinds previous policies protecting these vulnerable individuals. Plaintiffs, like Yessenia Ruano, who had a pending application for a T-Visa, were threatened with deportation during routine check-ins and have been forced to self-deport. Attorneys argue that these deportations undermine the purpose of the U-Visa and Violence Against Women Act, which encourage survivors to cooperate with law enforcement. The lawsuit challenges ICE’s reliance on a 2025 guidance citing a Trump executive order and seeks to halt the deportations and allow those already deported to return and pursue their applications. Concerns have been raised by local law enforcement that these ICE practices may discourage crime reporting and cooperation, ultimately harming public safety. A ruling from Judge André Birotte Jr. is expected to determine whether DHS will be ordered to cease these practices.

(Source：KABC-TV)