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The routine immigration hearing in Santa Ana has undergone an unexpected turn, bringing his father to ice custody and a young family in danger.
The mother of the family who chose to be identified as ANA says she and her partner Leo expected a quick look before returning to Hemet’s home. Instead, Leo’s case was dismissed and as soon as he left the court he was taken into custody by a plain federal agent.
“It was terrible, terrible that day,” Anna said. “They don’t give you a reason, they just dismiss you. They never say anything to you.”
Ana and Leo came to the US in November 2023 after applying for asylum through the CBP One app.
According to Anna, Leo was the only person left to be detained outside of court. Immigration advocates say ice arrests outside immigration courts are on the rise.
Casey Conway of the Orange County Rapid Response Network said she has been arrested more than 30 times in the past two weeks outside Santa Anacourt, including a child.
“I’ll go lowball and say 30,” Conway said.
In Los Angeles, the Immigration Defenderslow Center recorded four arrests in one court session last week. Their partners in San Diego say they watch up to 10 a day.
“I’ve practiced almost 20 years, and have never seen it implemented in court and have never heard of it happening before. Essentially, they’re chasing after low-hanging fruit,” said immigration lawyer Gustavo Mora.
Maura says those arrests target immigrants who have been in the country for less than two years, who are eligible for rapid removal without a judicial hearing.
“It’s counterintuitive for immigrants to do this because it is actually carried out as a deterrent to allow individuals to actually follow the law and respect the authority of the immigrants,” said Mora, urging immigrants to continue appearing in court. “At least if you go to court, you have a chance to fight no matter what.”
For Anna, it’s an overwhelming blow after believing that she and her partner are doing things the right way, she says. She is not sure now whether Leo will be deported or whether she will make rent next month.
NBCLA contacted ICE for information about LEO but received no response.
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