A Venezuelan couple was arrested in Washington, D.C., by border patrol agents for illegal entry despite their protected status and having come to the United States more than two years ago.
The parents waded across the southern border in Texas along with their three children in 2022 as part of a wave of migrants who sought refuge from economic and political turmoil. Now, they are being targeted by the United States government.
Targeting Immigrants
The couple in question only identified by their middle names; Cesar and Norelia, were allowed into the country by Border Patrol and their kids. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later granted them temporary protected status.
For context, this is a legal promise of security against being deported to the country that they fled to. After that, the couple settled in a D.C. neighborhood with their children, aged four, nine, and 13. They also got Social Security numbers, a driver's license for Cesar, and jobs cleaning hotels, according to The Washington Post.
On top of being arrested and charged, the couple had two of their kids looking at what was happening to them while crying and screaming. Border Patrol removed the parents from their home in handcuffs and charged them with illegally crossing the border.
The family was separated for three days before the couple was returned to their home and are now set to appear in an El Paso federal court within 30 days. The order mandates them to answer for the supposed illegal border crossing more than two years ago.
Tougher Deportation Efforts
The timing of the arrest shows the effects of Trump's administration amid its efforts to become increasingly more aggressive regarding immigration across the nation. Advocates for the Venezuelan couple argue that this is the first time such a case has happened, the Los Angeles Times reported.
They added that the situation could set legal precedent and could also affect thousands of other immigrants who are in similar positions to the Venezuelan couple. A lot of these people are now registered with the federal government, which means authorities have access to their whereabouts.
Customs and Border Protection confirmed the arrest of the parents, saying that they are tied to Tren de Arragua. Officials said they were unable to provide more information regarding the matter at this point in time.
Amy Fisher, the director of refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA said that the couple tried to show Border Patrol their documents in the midst of their arrest. They were met by authorities the moment they got home from work, as per WTOP News.
