In a shocking development, a federal judge in Louisiana has raised serious concerns after a 2-year-old American citizen was deported to Honduras alongside her mother — with what he described as “no meaningful process.”
The child, known in court documents as VML, was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 4, 2023, and is a U.S. citizen by birth.
Her mother, a Honduran national, had been checking in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a supervised release program when she was suddenly detained on Tuesday.
Despite a pending custody request from the child’s U.S.-based father and legal efforts to keep the child in the country, the government proceeded with deportation.
According to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, the court was only informed of the situation after the plane carrying the child and her mother had already landed in Honduras.
“The Government contends that this is all okay because the mother wishes that the child be deported with her,” the judge wrote in his order. “But the court doesn’t know that.”
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The government cited a handwritten letter from the mother, written in Spanish, saying she would take her daughter with her.
However, the letter was dated just one day before the deportation, while the family was still in ICE custody.
Legal experts argue that deporting a U.S. citizen — even a child — without due process could be a direct violation of the Constitution.
Attorneys with the National Immigration Project, who are representing those opposing the removal, say the government bypassed crucial legal steps.
The case is scheduled for a court hearing on May 16. Judge Doughty made it clear that he wants answers, noting a “strong suspicion” that a U.S. citizen was removed from the country unlawfully.
