Right-wing attitudes always revolve around wanting immigrants to “come here the right way” by going through the full immigration process. But what about all of the immigrants who were at their hearing trying to become legal citizens when ICE showed up? ICE agents have significantly increased their presence at immigration court hearings. In their eyes, it’s an easy arrest but in our eyes, we call it what it really is: A cruel trap. One Texas woman is now speaking up because her friend was picked up by ICE at an immigration hearing as she tried to better her own life.
Ashley (@feminist_rage_tx) shared a TikTok video explaining, “ICE detained my friend.” This friend of Ashley’s is married to a U.S. combat veteran and was taken while at her immigration hearing. Her husband, who is in the navy, married this woman years ago and they were working to get her completely through the immigration process so she could finally be a legal citizen on paper. Ashley’s friend is initially from Brazil. During her immigration hearing, they expected everything to go smoothly and to celebrate at the end of the day. However, things took a distressing turn.
According to Ashley, her friend went to her final immigration hearing but they told her she was allegedly supposed to appear eight years ago for a VISA hearing. Her friend was unaware of this, which could have happened due to any reason. In fact, it happens quite frequently. In front of her navy husband and judge, ICE arrived in masks in the courtroom. They handcuffed her and took away her phone. ICE then took her to a facility in San Antonio, Texas, where she is currently being held.
Ashley ponders how any of this happened. Her visa may have been overstayed but she’s married to a U.S. combat veteran. She was at her hearing waiting to become a legal citizen. Ashley’s friend sighs and says, “I’ve had enough.” The fact that immigrants who have been living here for so long are being stolen from their families is so disturbing and wrong. And then to make matters worse, it’s happening in immigration courtrooms.
Who is allowing this? Ashley asks, “How is it possible that she can be ripped away from her family?” It’s a total disrespect to her husband as well, who served for years in our navy and then had his wife ripped from his very hands by that same country. This is now so many family’s realities and it needs to end.
One commenter shared, “This is not a difference between democrat or republican or liberal or conservative. This comes down to morality. No matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on this is wrong. Innocent people are being hurt. Call your congressman or woman call your legislative branch speak out and vote.” Another person stated, “It was never about criminals. It’s about instilling fear.” And the fact that they get away with it every single day says so much about what we’re working with here in America.
