The heart-wrenching scene of Janet Correa, a Cuban immigrant, has brought a personal touch to the increasing arrests of undocumented immigrants at Miami's immigration court. Captured in a Univision video, Correa is seen in tears following the detention of her husband by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. "This is an injustice, a great injustice," cried Correa, who is a lawful resident in the U.S.
Her husband, who has no criminal record, was taken into custody immediately after attending a routine check-in related to his immigration proceedings. "Since arriving here, all he's done is work tirelessly," Correa lamented with a tremor in her voice. According to her attorney, ICE acted right after the judge dismissed the man's case. "I asked the judge to allow me to contest the government's position, but I wasn't allowed," stated the lawyer, who plans to visit ICE offices in an effort to halt the impending deportation.
Growing Concerns Over ICE Tactics
This incident is not isolated. Just a day earlier, 22-year-old Julio David Pérez Rodríguez, a Cuban asylum seeker, was apprehended by ICE after leaving the immigration court in downtown Miami. His mother, Ivonne Rodríguez, witnessed the arrest. "I feel a deep pain. I never expected this to happen in a free country, where one comes seeking liberty," she told Telemundo 51. Rodríguez also highlighted that her son was involved in the same asylum case through which she obtained legal residency.
The strategy employed by ICE—dismissing immigration cases to expedite removal—has been criticized by lawyers and activists as "legal but deeply questionable." Expedited deportation allows for the swift removal of immigrants who cannot demonstrate a credible fear of persecution or have not formally applied for asylum, bypassing a full hearing.
Legal and Human Rights Implications
Immigration attorneys, including Ismael Labrador and Antonio Ramos, caution that this practice is becoming more prevalent. "They dismiss your case and then wait in the hallway to arrest you. This is a major violation of many rights," Labrador noted, advising his clients to request virtual hearings, though acknowledging ICE might deny such requests if an arrest is planned.
Pro-immigrant activists report an escalating crackdown on migrants, notably Cubans and other Latin Americans holding form I-220A. "They're trying to follow the law to gain a chance at legalization, yet they're detained immediately after their hearings. It's a calculated operation, not random arrests," stated a spokesperson from a coalition monitoring immigration courts in South Florida.
Miami Herald journalists observed plainclothes ICE agents lingering for hours in court corridors, waiting for judges to close cases before making arrests. Sources within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed this tactic is part of a shift in immigration policy aiming to restore rapid deportation measures paused during the Biden administration, targeting migrants who entered the U.S. in the past two years.
As uncertainty spreads within the migrant community, lawyers emphasize that legal alternatives exist, though they acknowledge the fear and confusion these actions are causing. "We're facing a very sad and uncertain moment. The situation is dangerous," warned Labrador. For many families, what should be a step forward in their immigration process has turned into the beginning of a nightmare. As one young Cuban woman expressed upon leaving court, "All I ask is to legalize my status in this country and end this overwhelming process for everyone."
Understanding ICE's Immigration Tactics
What is expedited deportation?
Expedited deportation is a process that allows for the quick removal of immigrants without a full hearing if they cannot prove a credible fear of persecution or have not formally applied for asylum.
Why are immigration attorneys concerned about ICE tactics?
Attorneys are worried because ICE's strategy of dismissing cases to arrest immigrants is seen as a violation of rights and is becoming more common, causing fear and uncertainty among migrants.