A Cuban father, who had been residing in the United States for several years, married to a legal resident, and a father to a seven-month-old baby, fell victim to a swift deportation process after attending what he believed was a routine immigration hearing.
According to an Associated Press (AP) investigation, these courts have turned into veritable "deportation traps" under the Trump administration's policies.
Accompanied by his wife and young child, the man showed up at the courthouse in compliance with the official notice.
Inside the courtroom, a government attorney acted quickly to have his asylum request dismissed by the judge, promptly making him eligible for expedited deportation.
As he exited the courtroom, plainclothes immigration officers who had been monitoring him from the hallway surrounded him.
A struggle ensued, with his wife's desperate cries echoing outside, while the government lawyer, who had coordinated the operation with ICE, calmly moved on to the next case.
The entire scene was meticulously orchestrated. Just moments earlier, the government attorney had sent a text message to an ICE agent stationed in the courthouse hallway.
"I can't do this. This is a new emotional burden," she wrote while reviewing the day's case list.
AP reports that the agent replied, "I understand. Hopefully, we meet again under better circumstances."
Following the judge's decision and the Cuban's detention, the agent texted just four minutes later: "We got him."
As revealed by documents and internal message screenshots obtained by AP, such coordinated operations between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attorneys and ICE agents have become increasingly common in the country's 75 immigration courts.
Rather than providing a genuine opportunity for defense, many hearings conclude with the government's dismissal of the case and the asylum seeker's immediate arrest in the hallway, a system described by officials as functioning "almost like an assembly line."
Repeated Patterns in Immigration Courts
AP's investigation documented the same pattern over several months in immigration courts across 21 U.S. cities.
Reporters observed the government requesting the judge to close the case, leaving the migrant—often without legal representation—subject to expedited removal, while ICE agents waited outside to detain them.
Text message captures, provided by a whistleblower fearing retaliation, show government attorneys sending real-time updates to agents about courtroom proceedings.
Impact of Stringent Immigration Policies
These practices are part of a sweeping reform of immigration courts under Trump's leadership, who won reelection in 2024 promising hardline immigration policies and mass deportations.
In the last nine months, the administration has dismissed nearly 90 immigration judges deemed too "lenient" by its allies, mandated the use of masked agents to handcuff migrants in closed-door hearings, and issued internal memos demanding judges strictly adhere to the attorney general's directives.
Nine active officials consulted by AP, speaking anonymously, expressed concerns about the system being used to penalize law-abiding individuals.
Who Are Really Targeted?
The White House claims the deportation campaign targets "the worst criminals," but data analyzed by the Cato Institute, based on ICE information cited by AP, indicates that most detainees lack criminal records.
Many are individuals who arrived alone in the country, devoid of legal representation, compelled to physically appear in court, becoming prime targets for arrest operations.
The tightening of U.S. immigration policies is resulting in the detention of Cubans with I-220A and I-220B status during ICE check-ins, despite many having no criminal background and complying with regulations.
This phenomenon has sparked alarm and concern within the Cuban community, as detentions appear to be part of a broader strategy of oversight and intimidation.
Families and attorneys of the detained are seeking legal advice and appealing to community solidarity for support. However, the situation remains uncertain and distressing for many impacted families.
Understanding Immigration Court Challenges
What is an expedited deportation process?
An expedited deportation process allows for the swift removal of an individual from the U.S. without a prolonged legal proceeding, often used in cases where the individual is deemed ineligible for asylum or other relief.
Why are immigration courts referred to as "deportation traps"?
Immigration courts have been termed "deportation traps" due to tactics used to dismiss cases and detain individuals without offering substantial opportunities for defense, leading to expedited deportations.
How have immigration policies changed under Trump's administration?
Under Trump's administration, immigration policies have become more stringent, with increased deportations, dismissal of lenient judges, and directives for strict adherence to tougher immigration laws.
What are the implications of I-220A and I-220B status for Cubans?
Cubans with I-220A and I-220B status face heightened scrutiny and risk of detention during ICE check-ins, despite compliance with legal requirements, as part of broader immigration enforcement strategies.