In the United States, a citizen with a serious illness and her children were deported to Honduras: a bloody incident and political controversy
Amid intensified immigration enforcement in the U.S., a scandalous story has unfolded, sparking widespread outrage among the public and human rights circles. Government officials deported a young child with advanced metastatic cancer, her older sister, and mother — all without proper legal proceedings or access to lawyers. This case has become a symbol of the harshness of the immigration system, which critics say increasingly disregards the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens, especially those in urgent need of medical care. According to CNN, the incident occurred on April 24 — on that day, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a rapid and highly aggressive deportation raid. A family attorney, Erin Gebert, explained that the family had come for a scheduled appointment under the Enhanced Immigration Surveillance Program, having been previously instructed to bring their children and passports. However, during the meeting, the mother realized something was wrong: she was denied access to American lawyers, and later learned she had been detained along with her children. She also reported that two ICE agents were waiting for them in a room even before the appointment began, and soon after, the family was taken into custody. Just a few hours later, a young girl battling metastatic cancer — only seven years old — was deported along with her mother and older sister to Honduras. The family was expelled less than a day after the detention, and their attorney was not allowed to prepare appropriate objections or appeals. She emphasizes that her clients received a deportation order without any access to legal counsel, and just a few hours later, they were boarding a plane to Central America. The swift and geographically broad nature of the process has sparked anger among human rights advocates. Gebert noted that they submitted official requests to the ICE regional office in New Orleans, demanding a halt to the deportation, citing the children's citizenship and the critical medical condition of the younger daughter. However, within less than 24 hours, the family had to say goodbye to their child with cancer, who already required specialized medical attention. “My clients were deported faster than I could help them,” Gebert stated. “They had no access to me or any lawyer, which is yet another example of how fundamentally the rights of U.S. citizens are being violated in the course of immigration enforcement." This case has sparked widespread discussion and critical statements regarding the deportation system. Most human rights defenders emphasize that this is another example of blatant disregard for constitutional rights, particularly the rights of children and humanitarian considerations in situations requiring special attention. In response to criticism, government representatives attempt to justify their actions, claiming that the U.S. does not deport its citizens, and that only mothers who have themselves decided to take their children abroad are involved. During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the situation “precious and clear”: “If a woman crosses the border illegally and has a two-year-old child, there should be a choice — allow her to take the child or separate her from the mother.” He added that the U.S. has the right to deport even citizens if they are in the country illegally, and that separating families when it benefits the state is justified. The reactions from civil rights activists and human rights organizations are obvious: the case of deporting a sick child experiencing a health crisis is unacceptable and exposes a systemic approach that neglects human rights. They are urging a review of deportation policies and calling for a more humane approach to families in critical situations. This story further underlines how immigration policy in modern-day America increasingly functions as an instrument of repression, destroying lives and splitting families without regard for risks and human dignity. Responsibility for this catastrophic situation lies not only with enforcement agencies but also with the overall political course that allows for a tough and ruthless approach to immigration issues.