Trump administration arrests foreigners married to Americans during immigration interviews in the United States

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“I had to rip our baby out of her arms while she was crying,” said Paul, 33, recalling the moment he learned his wife Katie would be arrested.

She was sent to an immigration detention center that holds hundreds of people detained in the crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration. Paul had to take a leave of absence from working for the San Diego County Police Department to care for his daughter and try to free her.

“It was crazy for them to separate our family,” the American was indignant. – Whoever is running this has completely lost touch with their mission for the country.

Immigration attorneys in various cities have reported an increase in arrests of foreign spouses of U.S. citizens during interviews at USCIS offices. In San Diego, it is estimated that dozens have been arrested since November 12, when this method began being used, according to attorney Andrew Nettor. He says he bases his estimate on internal reports from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The total number of prisoners is unknown, as many couples appear without legal representation. The government also did not release figures.

In all cases, agents reported that the foreigners had overstayed their tourist or business visas. The arrest warrant reviewed by The New York Times says there is “probable cause to believe” that the husband in question is “subject to removal from the United States.” Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for the agency, said arrests at immigration offices can occur when there are outstanding warrants, deportation orders or suspicion of fraud, felonies or other violations of the law. According to him, the arrests are being carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

However, the spouses and lawyers say they followed all the requirements: they submitted documents, paid fees, and underwent fingerprint collection and medical examinations. None of the detainees had a criminal record or entered the country illegally; All of them received a work permit.

“In 25 years of practice, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Joanna Kemmy, the Pauls’ attorney. – They followed the correct procedure. What comes now? cancellation Green cards Millions who did the same?

These applicants’ temporary visas often expire while the “adjustment of status” process extends over several months. The 1986 law stipulates that a spouse who entered the country legally can obtain permanent residency through marriage, even if the visa has expired. “Congress has been clear: These people are eligible Green cardssaid Doug Rand, a former USCIS official in the Joe Biden administration.

Although the law does not prohibit detention, these people have historically not been arrested during the application process. Usually, accommodation is approved during or shortly after the interview. But the Trump administration began carrying out arrests without announcing a change in its policy. The increase coincides with changes in ICE leadership in San Diego, in keeping with the goal of accelerating the presidential agenda.

Audrey Hestmark, 38, and her husband, Thomas Pilger, 40, showed up at the immigration office on November 20 expecting to receive a visa. Green card Just in time to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Pilger, a robotics engineer, met Hestmark on trips from Germany to the United States. After four years of dating, they married on November 22, 2024.

She said Tom was so excited about becoming a US resident that he wanted a cowboy-themed wedding.

With the support of a lawyer, they collected documents from both countries. During the interview, they showed photos, lease contracts, bank statements and joint accounts. The proceedings went smoothly until the officer asked if Pilger had overstayed his visa. He replied in the affirmative, based on the lawyer’s advice that this was not a problem. After that, three masked and armed agents entered the room and informed him that he was illegal in the country. Pilger was handcuffed and led away. She did not learn the news until the next day. He has since been transferred between a basement in San Diego and a detention center.

Many American citizens are now trying to free their spouses by posting bail or through other legal means. Once released, aliens begin to rely on the immigration court, which is overburdened and plagued by years of delays. For Neitor, the government’s strategy appears to be to pressure couples to abandon the process and accept deportation.

Jason Cordero (26 years old) had his wife Ludmila, a Mexican citizen, arrested last week. She reportedly suffers from severe anxiety and suffers from panic attacks in the detention center. From a humble background, Cordero has been working two jobs to improve his financial situation since his marriage at the beginning of the year. The couple had just moved from the studio to a one-bedroom apartment in Oceanside, California. “Little by little, we were making progress,” he said.

Three ICE agents detained Lyudmila for overstaying her visa. She cried, and so did the interviewing officer. The officers asked her to remove the jewelry and her wedding ring, which were kept in a small bag that she had given to her husband. “I was shocked and saddened,” Cordero said. “We try to be respectful of everything we’ve seen in the news about immigration.”

Katie and Steven Paul met on a gaming console and began a long-distance relationship. She has visited him several times under the Visa Waiver Program for Britons, and the couple traveled to Japan before marrying last October. Two days later, they discovered she was pregnant with Alan, now 4 months old. Demand for Green card It was introduced in July.

In an interview last week, everything was going well until ICE agents walked in, who reported that Katie, with the baby in her arms, was under arrest. Lawyer Kimi, who was following the matter over the phone, protested that she had never seen anything similar before. Paul said the officers admitted they did not agree to the order, but they had to abide by it. “They are ordering the arrest of everyone they can. This is not true,” he said.