The Biden administration closes and softens the cases of illegal immigrants: two were even returned to the United States after deportation

An immigrant activist was deported from the United States for being starred in a film criticizing immigration authorities... Now he has managed to return to the United States. What happened and why he was allowed back, the newspaper said. NPR.

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When Claudio Rojas was deported in 2019, he knew it would be difficult to return to the United States. But his lawyers didn't give up.

And so he flew back to Florida in August. The wife and children were already there to meet the head of the family at the airport.

“That door that was closed opened,” Rojas said. “It’s a miracle that I was able to come back.”

After deportation, authorities rarely allow immigrants to return to the country. But this has happened twice in recent months: the administration of US President Joe Biden has allowed several prominent immigrant rights activists to return to the United States.

Retaliation statements The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has received close scrutiny by the Biden administration.

This is the first time Rojas has spoken publicly about his comeback. He is one of several well-known activists who were allowed to return to the United States or their immigration cases were terminated after they claimed that ICE took revenge on them for their activities during the Donald Trump administration.

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ICE denies such action against anyone. But for years, immigrant advocates have made similar charges.

“Bringing home people who have been deported for their activism is a truly important first step in correcting what has been an extremely outrageous assault on our democratic values,” said Alina Das, a Roxas human rights activist and professor at New York University School of Law.

Das has a second client who was also allowed to return to the United States. Jean Montreville is a longtime advocate for immigrant rights in New York City. His lawyers say ICE targeted Montreville for his activism, using a decades-old conviction as a pretext to deport him to Haiti in 2018.

“It got to the point where I was afraid to leave the house in Haiti,” he admitted.

Montreville was also allowed to return to the United States under the Biden administration and flew into New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in October. At first, according to his words, he did not believe that the truth could return.

"The immigration system will come for you"

In a new order from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration authorities are explicitly told not to take action against activists simply for exercising their right to free speech.

“We have a responsibility to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of every person, regardless of their immigration status,” Department of Homeland Security Commissioner Alejandro Mayorkas said in September when the order was first announced. “A person’s exercise of their rights cannot be a factor in the decision to use coercive measures.”

In theory, the First Amendment applies to everyone in the United States, even illegal immigrants. But in practice, courts tend to give the immigration authorities wide latitude in deciding who to arrest and deport.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Lawyer Alina Das says ICE abused this position when it decided to arrest and deport Montreville and Rojas.

“It sent a message that if you speak out about abuses in the immigration system, the immigration system will come for you,” Das said.

She tried to convince the Federal Court of Appeals panel that ICE violated Rojas' First Amendment freedom of expression. But the case was dropped after Rojas was allowed to return to the United States, and the court never issued a ruling.

Advocates want citizenship and end immigration injustice

Although both Montreville and Rojas have been allowed to return to the United States, their legal status is temporary. Das wants immigration authorities to go even further - giving them permanent legal status and a path to citizenship.

“As long as immigrant communities remain in limbo with the potential threat of deportation, they cannot feel truly safe,” the human rights activist said. “That’s why much more significant reform is needed.” And what we are seeing is the first step.”

It is unclear how long the latest immigration compliance guidelines will last. The states of Texas and Louisiana have challenged this guideline in court, arguing that the rules prevent ICE employees and agents from doing their jobs. The trial is expected early next year.

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Millions of green cards for illegal immigrants and protection from deportation: the House of Representatives approved an immigration bill

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