Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Lawsuit Challenges ICE Policy on Deporting Crime Victims With Pending U and T Visas

Advocates say the guidance bypasses survivor protections Congress designed to spur cooperation with law enforcement.

U.S. Border Patrol and Custom officers and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stand guard as official cars leave the building at the back entrance of Edward R. Roybal Center and Federal Building in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Yessenia Ruano, who lived in the U.S. for 14 years and applied for a T visa, has been deported to El Salvador despite the protections the visa application was supposed to provide her while it it processed.

Overview

  • Filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court, the case was brought by Public Counsel with partner groups on behalf of eight immigrants with pending applications.
  • The complaint targets a Trump administration directive telling ICE officers they do not need to actively check for U or T visa filings during arrests.
  • Plaintiffs argue detention now automatically revokes deferred action without a hearing and that removals proceed without required eligibility reviews.
  • Examples in the filing include Yessenia Ruano, who says she self-deported to El Salvador after a denied stay despite a pending T visa, and “Lupe A.,” deported to Mexico after years in the United States despite prior deferred action.
  • ICE has not responded to requests for comment, and advocates warn the practices deter crime reporting and could worsen already lengthy visa backlogs.