Amid growing anxiety within the immigrant community, a Cuban family in Houston has chosen to break their silence over what they see as a grave injustice: the detention of a 25-year-old man by ICE agents immediately following a judge's denial of his asylum request. Oscar Sánchez's case highlights a troubling trend of arrests occurring at immigration courts, once considered safe havens.
Emotional Scene Unfolds at Houston Court
Oscar Sánchez had attended his hearing at the Houston immigration court as part of the legal process after applying for asylum. However, upon exiting the courtroom after his case was dismissed, officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) promptly detained him. His aunt, a witness to the event, recounted the scene with a mix of helplessness and sorrow.
“It was an extremely distressing, very sad moment,” she told Telemundo Houston. “He kept calling out ‘aunt, aunt, aunt,’ but I was powerless to intervene,” she added, her voice breaking with emotion. The young Cuban remains in custody as his family desperately seeks an opportunity to appeal his case.
Arrests Reflect a Disturbing Trend: Legal Experts Express Alarm
Sánchez's arrest is not an isolated incident. Such detentions are becoming increasingly frequent, particularly among immigrants whose cases have been recently dismissed and who have been in the United States for less than two years. Bianca Santorini, Sánchez's attorney, explained that these actions are directly linked to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which reinstates and expands the policy of “expedited removal.”
“Individuals with less than two years in the country, even if they have complied with all requirements, find their cases dismissed; then, once they exit the court, they have no status or pending applications, making them vulnerable to immediate arrest and deportation,” Santorini clarified.
Understanding “Expedited Removal”
The “expedited removal” policy enables the swift deportation of immigrants without a judicial hearing if they have been in the country for less than two years and lack valid status. Although this policy has been in place for nearly three decades, its application has expanded or contracted depending on the presidential administration.
In 2004, under President George W. Bush, the policy was limited to individuals detained within the first 14 days of entry and within 100 miles of the border. In 2019, Trump expanded this to cover two years without geographic restriction. President Joe Biden later reversed this measure in 2022. However, with Trump's return to power in 2025, the policy has been reinstated and strengthened, once again placing thousands of immigrants at risk of deportation without a court hearing.
ICE Defends Its Actions
In response to criticisms, ICE has maintained that its actions comply fully with the law. The agency reiterated that anyone who does not present a valid credible fear claim can be swiftly deported. In light of this situation, lawyers stress the importance of attending court hearings, but advise doing so with legal representation.
“Even if the case is dismissed, attending gives individuals minimal control over potential outcomes,” emphasized attorney Santorini. Meanwhile, the immigrant community faces a new wave of uncertainty, forcing families who once trusted the immigration judicial system to reconsider their legal options and future in the country.
A Plea for Justice
Oscar Sánchez’s family continues to await news while exploring legal avenues to prevent his deportation. The young man's aunt insists they only seek a reconsideration of his situation. “All we ask is for a second chance to stand before a judge and have his case thoroughly reviewed.”
Currently, thousands of families in the United States find themselves in similar situations, grappling with the fear and uncertainty of their future.
FAQs on Immigration Detention and Expedited Removal
What is the expedited removal policy?
Expedited removal is a policy that allows for the rapid deportation of immigrants without a hearing before a judge if they have been in the U.S. for less than two years and lack a valid immigration status.
How has the expedited removal policy changed under different administrations?
The application of expedited removal has varied; it was limited under George W. Bush, expanded by Donald Trump in 2019, restricted by Joe Biden in 2022, and reinstated and expanded again under Trump in 2025.