Trump Administration Deports Mexicans Despite Torture Findings, Citing 1 Set of Assurances
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 7
Trump Administration Deports Mexicans Despite Torture Findings, Citing 1 Set of Assurances
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 7
Summary
A group of Mexican nationals was deported in recent days even after immigration courts had barred their removal on findings they would likely face torture in Mexico.
ICE chief David Venturella reversed those protections after the State Department received diplomatic assurances from Mexico that the deportees would not be harmed, according to two people familiar with the move.
The step appears highly unusual because officials typically ask an immigration judge to lift such protections, giving immigrants a chance to contest removal; lawyers could recall only one similar 2008 case, and a court blocked that deportation.
DHS said it followed constitutional and statutory process and described the deportees as criminal illegal aliens, including gang members, narco traffickers, a child rapist and a murderer.
Mexico said return was appropriate if the individuals had completed foreign legal proceedings and that authorities would check for active warrants, while advocates said protected Mexican nationals often cite cartel and organized-crime threats.