In a recent incident, agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sought to detain a 10-year-old Honduran boy named Anthony España. The young boy had crossed the border alone last year to reunite with his mother in the United States.
The story surfaced on Univision, where Anthony shared his harrowing experience of seeing the agents arrive at his doorstep, causing him to panic. He hurried to inform his mother, Maritza Zelaya, fearing deportation back to Honduras.
Maritza recounted how she confronted the officers from inside her home. The agents insisted on speaking with Anthony, claiming they wanted to ensure he was well-fed and attending school. However, Maritza was skeptical of their intentions.
According to her, the agents persistently demanded entry. Before leaving, they took photos of the family's car license plate and warned they would return. Maritza suspects it was an intimidation tactic, as no arrest warrant was presented.
The news outlet highlighted the emotional toll this encounter has taken on the child, who has a scheduled immigration court hearing in July to determine his legal status.
Migrant rights organizations have criticized the aggressive pursuit of immigrants under the Trump administration, labeling it as an "unjustified home raid." Recently, there was a controversial deportation of a U.S. citizen child of Mexican parents who was undergoing cancer treatment.
Understanding ICE and Immigrant Rights
What are the rights of immigrants when ICE visits their home?
Immigrants have the right to remain silent and request to see a warrant before allowing ICE agents to enter their home. It's important to know that a warrant must be signed by a judge.
How can the presence of ICE agents affect children emotionally?
The presence of ICE agents can be traumatic for children, causing fear of separation from family and uncertainty about their future, potentially leading to anxiety and stress.