Trump Administration Argues It Can Hold Dreamers Indefinitely
EL PASO, TEXAS - The Trump administration is arguing that it can hold DACA recipients indefinitely in immigration detention, a move that has sparked concerns among immigration experts who warn it could be used as a backdoor to expel those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Catalina "Xochitl" Santiago, 28, a DACA recipient and immigration activist, has spent over 50 days in immigration detention at an El Paso processing facility. According to her attorneys, she was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on August 3 while attempting to catch a flight to Austin.
"We're seeing a pattern of behavior from the Trump administration that suggests they're trying to run out the clock until her status expires," said Maria Blanco, executive director of the Immigrant Defense Network, which is representing Santiago. "This is not just about Xochitl; it's about all DACA recipients who are being held in detention."
Santiago's case has drawn attention from immigration advocates and experts, who point out that the Trump administration's actions could set a precedent for deporting DACA recipients.
"The administration is trying to use detention as a way to circumvent the law," said David Leopold, an immigration attorney and former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "This is a backdoor attempt to expel people who are protected by DACA."
Background on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program shows that it was created in 2012 under President Barack Obama's administration as a way to provide temporary protection from deportation to some formerly undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. The program has been the subject of controversy and litigation, with the Trump administration attempting to rescind it in 2017.
In response to criticism, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement saying that "the detention of aliens is a necessary step in the removal process" and that "DACA recipients are not exempt from this process."
Santiago's family has expressed concern about her prolonged detention. "She's holding on," said her brother Jose, who wanted to be identified by his first name only in case of retaliation from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "We just want her to come home."
The current status of Santiago's case is unclear, with her attorneys saying they are working to secure her release. The next development in the case is expected to come soon, as a court hearing is scheduled for later this month.
As the Trump administration continues to push its hardline immigration policies, the international community is watching closely. In a statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that "the detention of migrants and asylum seekers must be carried out in accordance with international human rights law."
The case has also drawn attention from lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who are calling for greater transparency and oversight of immigration detention policies.
"This is a clear example of the Trump administration's disregard for due process and the rule of law," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). "We need to take action to protect DACA recipients and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect."
The saga of Catalina Xochitl Santiago serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges surrounding immigration policy in the United States, and the ongoing debate about the role of government in protecting the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.
*Reporting by Theintercept.*
