Latest news with #RefugeeActof1980
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
ICE used ‘deceptive' practices to detain asylum seeker at Portland courthouse, attorneys say
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Amid the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, immigration agents detained a woman seeking asylum at a Portland immigration courthouse on Monday, attorneys representing the asylum seeker said. According to the attorneys, OJM — a pseudonym used to protect the woman's identity because of safety concerns — was at a hearing for her asylum case in Portland when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials asked the court to dismiss her case and detained her. Now, the attorneys at the Portland-based Innovation Law Lab say they are filing an emergency petition, arguing ICE used 'deceptive and unethical practices' to detain her and strip her of her due process to OJM's attorneys, after she left the courtroom, ICE agents arrested her 'in an attempt to end her asylum claim, transfer her, and rapidly deport her.' OJM is a 24-year-old transgender woman from Mexico, where she was abducted and raped because of her gender identity and sexual orientation 'at the hands of a dangerous cartel,' OJM's attorneys said, noting she fled to the United States for safety. 'This is a dangerous attempt by ICE to circumvent due process, speed up deportations, and eviscerate the right to asylum,' said Innovation Law Lab Attorney Jordan Cunnings, who represents OJM. 'This unethical behavior goes against the values we hold as Oregonians, ensuring that everyone is welcomed and included in our state.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The emergency petition, obtained by KOIN 6 News, states that OJM was released from custody by immigration authorities nearly two years ago in California. Later, in February of 2025, she filed for asylum, and in the following month, immigration officials started removal proceedings, the petition says. 'Only nearly two years after OJM was released from custody and months after she applied for asylum, (authorities) commenced removal proceedings against her in immigration court where she could present her asylum claim under the due process rights,' the petition explains. The petition goes on to claim, 'in a deceptive sleight of hand, (authorities) seek to eject OJM from her own asylum case, detain her and transfer her away from the District of Oregon so that they can rapidly deport her.' Neighbors, PBOT fed up with NW 13th outdoor plaza The petition cites the Refugee Act of 1980, which gives people the right to apply for asylum when seeking safety in the U.S. The petition also states that noncitizens who apply for asylum are entitled to a full hearing in immigration court before they can be removed from the U.S. 'OJM had properly filed her asylum application, but ICE appears to be attempting to place her in expedited removal, a rapid deportation process with minimal protections,' Innovation Law Lab said. OJM's case mirrors a 'troubling national trend,' her attorneys say. Hood River-White Salmon Bridge project secures Washington funds, eyes $105M from Oregon 'Courthouse arrests destroy the integrity of our legal system and undermine the rule of law,' Cunnings said. 'We ask immigrants and refugees who are fleeing violence to abide by an asylum process. Detaining them for showing up to court is heartbreaking and harmful to our justice system.' Innovation Law Lab notes that OJM's gender identity matters in this case, explaining she, like others across the United States, traveled to Oregon for its inclusivity and to escape violence because of her identity. The attorneys raised concerns over an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that states transgender women will no longer be detained with other women, meaning they will likely be held with male detainees, which can threaten their safety. 'No one, including transgender women, should be incarcerated in unsafe detention facilities where their lives are at risk,' said Reyna Lopez on behalf of Oregon for All, a coalition of organizations including the ACLU, Innovation Law Lab and the Oregon Food Bank, advocating for immigrant justice. 'Transgender people are part of what makes our Oregon beautiful, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect just like every other Oregonian.' KOIN 6 News has reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Justice, which were named in the petition. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Vietnamese refugee suffering from dementia dies in ICE custody in Texas
[Source] A 55-year-old Vietnamese refugee with dementia reportedly died of natural causes while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at the Long Term Acute Care Hospital in El Paso, Texas on April 16. 'Some negligence'? Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, who came to the U.S. in July 1983 and was granted legal status under the Refugee Act of 1980, was detained during a Feb. 24 appointment with ICE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he had been living since 2018. An autopsy revealed that he died of acute pneumonia, with dementia listed as a secondary cause. However, his attorney, Tin Nguyen, said his family believes there was 'some negligence' on ICE's part. 'We don't know the details of what happened in his last days at the hospital,' Tin Nguyen told the Albuquerque Journal. 'I think there are a lot of questions that need to be answered in how ICE treats people who are sick.' Trending on NextShark: Daniel Dae Kim is first Asian American to be nominated for Tony lead actor award The family, who lives in Dallas, reportedly did not know Nguyen's whereabouts from mid-February until late March when ICE informed them he was ready for release but required constant medical care. What ICE is saying In a press release, ICE noted that Nguyen had a 1991 conviction for second-degree murder in California, which violated his residency terms. The agency said he was arrested 'based on his final order of removal with the significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future to Vietnam' following a 2013 deportation order. Trending on NextShark: Vietnamese refugee suffering from dementia dies in ICE custody in Texas From Feb. 26 until his death, Nguyen was transferred multiple times between the El Paso Processing Center and hospitals for treatment. The agency said it 'coordinated closely with Nguyen's attorney to identify and contact Nguyen's family members able to take custody and care for him in the United States to no avail.' ICE maintained that it 'remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments' and that 'comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay.' Sparking protest Trending on NextShark: Korean American astronaut Jonny Kim shares gochujang burger recipe from space Nguyen's death has drawn attention from immigrant rights activists. At May Day rallies across New Mexico on May 1, thousands reportedly gathered in events that celebrated workers and expressed solidarity with those targeted by the Trump administration, including immigrants. Attendees in Albuquerque's Tiguex Park carried Nguyen's photo. A statement from his nephew, Duke Nguyen, was read aloud. Trending on NextShark: Indian American student wearing pro-Trump hat attacked near WSU This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Michigan lawmaker responds to colleague's insults that she is 'very low IQ' Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Vietnamese man living in Albuquerque dies months after being taken into ICE custody
May 1—A Vietnamese refugee who spent time in a California prison and most recently lived in Albuquerque died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody earlier this month. Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, 55, died of natural causes April 16 at the Long Term Acute Care Hospital in El Paso, according to a release from ICE. The release said that, from Feb. 26 until his death, Nguyen bounced between the El Paso Processing Center, an immigration detention center, and hospital "for treatment due to altered mental status, assistance to ambulate and assistance with his activities of daily living." The agency said during that time, ICE tried to contact Nguyen's family to care for him "to no avail," according to the release. On Thursday, May Day rally goers in Tiguex Park in Old Town brought attention to Nguyen's death, with some attendees carrying his photo during the rally bringing attention to immigrant rights. Tin Nguyen, an attorney for Nguyen, said the family — who lives in Dallas — didn't know where he was from mid-February until late March, when ICE told them he was ready to be released but needed 24/7 medical care. The attorney said an autopsy found Nhon Nguyen died of acute pneumonia, with dementia as a secondary cause. Tin Nguyen said the family believes there was "some negligence" on the part of ICE. "We don't know the details of what happened in his last days at the hospital," he said. "I think there are a lot of questions that need to be answered in how ICE treats people who are sick." In the release, officials said ICE "remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure, and humane environments." "Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment individuals arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay," according to the release. "... At no time during detention is a detained illegal alien denied emergent care." The release states Nhon Nguyen came to the U.S. and was granted legal status in 1983 as part of the Refugee Act of 1980. In 1991, he was convicted of murder in California and sentenced to 15 years, with the crime violating the terms of his U.S. residency. ICE took custody of Nguyen in 2013 after his release on parole, and he was jailed until an immigration judge ordered his deportation, according to the release. "However, Vietnam denied issuing a travel document," the release states, and ICE issued Nguyen an Order of Supervision, and released him from custody. From there, ICE granted Nguyen's request to move to Dallas, where his family lives, before he moved to Albuquerque in 2018, according to the release. Seven years later, on Feb. 24, ICE arrested Nguyen "with the significant likelihood of removal in the reasonably foreseeable future to Vietnam." The release states two days after being placed in the El Paso Processing Center, Nguyen was taken to the hospital until March 13, when he was brought back to the detention center. After a few more trips back and forth from the facility to the hospital, Nguyen was taken for the last time to the hospital on April 7. "Consistent with ICE protocols, the appropriate components were notified about the death, including the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility," according to the release. "Additionally, ICE notified the next of kin."
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Missing Immigration Document: Where Is The DHS Refugee Report?
A sign outside the Church of St. Francis Xavier in New York City. The Trump administration appears ... More to have missed an immigration deadline for a report on restarting the U.S. refugee admissions program. (Photo by: Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The Trump administration appears to have missed an immigration deadline for a report on restarting the U.S. refugee admissions program. An executive order issued on January 20, 2025, suspended refugee admissions but called for a report within 90 days to consider resuming the admissions. Analysts believe it is possible asking for a report was not intended to evaluate the refugee program but to give the impression the administration was engaged in a genuine analysis. Refugee organizations criticize the lack of transparency. Refugees are admitted to the United States only after undergoing extensive screening outside the country. Security experts note refugees are the most vetted individuals to enter America. The president sets the annual refugee level in consultation with Congress. The United States has a long history of admitting refugees since it coincides with America's tradition of respecting human rights while serving U.S. foreign policy interests. During Donald Trump's first term, his administration reduced refugee admissions to the lowest since the Refugee Act of 1980. After working with refugee resettlement agencies largely dismantled during Donald Trump's first term, Biden officials surpassed 100,000 refugee admissions in FY 2024. According to a National Foundation for American Policy analysis, 'Real earnings for refugees increased by 70% in the 10 years after arriving in the United States, showing refugees integrate and make economic progress in America.' On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order that announced: 'I therefore direct that entry into the United States of refugees under the USRAP [U.S. Refugee Admissions Program] be suspended . . . until a finding is made in accordance with section 4 of this order.' The only exception: 'The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit aliens to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the entry of such aliens as refugees is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.' While there are approximately 44 million refugees in the world, the only refugees Donald Trump has indicated he wants to assist are white South Africans. 'More than 30 applicants have already been approved,' reports Reuters. Admitting only white people as refugees has raised obvious criticism. The president can resume refugee admissions anytime. However, the executive order contains an implicit trigger in the form of a report from the Secretary of Homeland Security to the president within 90 days of the executive order, which would have been April 20, 2025. That date has passed, and the Trump administration has not announced whether it received the report or if it contains recommendations. 'Within 90 days of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the president through the Homeland Security Advisor regarding whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP [United States Refugee Admissions Program] would be in the interests of the United States,' according to the executive order. 'The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit further reports every 90 days thereafter until I determine that resumption of the USRAP is in the interests of the United States.' (Emphasis added.) Trump's Homeland Security Advisor is Stephen Miller, an opponent of refugee admissions and the likely author of the executive order suspending the refugee program. Analysts note that by arranging for the report to go through him, Miller can ensure few or no refugees are admitted to the United States, except for white South Africans. Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the State Department responded to a request to comment on the refugee report's status. Refugee organizations sued the Trump administration and achieved some success. However, an April 21, 2025, ruling narrowed the scope of how many refugees may be admitted to the United States following the executive order that suspend refugee admissions. In Pacito et al. v. Donald Trump, the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit implies a court cannot require the Trump administration to admit more than 100,000 refugees, citing deference to the president's 'broad discretion to suspend the entry of aliens into the United States' in the Supreme Court case Trump v. Hawaii. According to the court, the government represents that 'almost 130,000 individuals were conditionally approved for refugee approval before January 20, 2025.' 'Accordingly, the government's motion to clarify the scope of our previous Order . . . is GRANTED,' according to the decision. 'The stay request is denied to the extent that the district court's preliminary injunction order applies to individuals who met the following conditions on or before January 20, 2025: (1) the individual had an approved refugee application authorizing Customs and Border Protection to admit the individual 'conditionally as a refugee upon arrival at the port within four months of the date the refugee application was approved,' … (2) the individual was cleared by USCIS for travel to the United States; and (3) the individual had arranged and confirmable travel plans to the United States.' The court ruled the 'preliminary injunction remains in effect for these individuals only, and government must resume their processing, facilitation of travel to the United States, admission, and provision of resettlement benefits after admission.' It is unclear how many refugees the ruling would allow to enter and be resettled in the United States, but it is expected to be considerably less than the 125,000 ceiling set for FY 2025. The International Refugee Assistance Project filed the lawsuit on behalf of Church World Service, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks to staff for the first time at Department of ... More Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, D.C, on January 28, 2025. (Photo by MANUEL BALCE CENETA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) 'At World Relief, we've been overwhelmed by the ways that churches and individuals have stepped up to provide support for recently resettled refugees in the wake of the Trump administration's abrupt termination of funding for those resettled in the final days of the Biden administration,' said Matthew Soerens, vice president of advocacy & policy at World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization. Contributions have exceeded $10 million. 'Part of evangelicals' support for refugee resettlement is based on an awareness that most refugees resettled to the U.S. in recent years have been fellow Christians, including many who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus,' said Soerens. 'Evangelicals are very troubled by the reality that suspending refugee resettlement indefinitely would mean closing the door on these persecuted fellow believers.' The administration's threat to deport Afghan Christians back to the Taliban in recent weeks has raised concerns in Christian communities in the United States. 'It's important to be clear that Christians are not only concerned with fellow Christians,' said Soerens. 'While religious persecution is, of course, deeply troubling to American Christians, we believe that all people, regardless of religion, are made in the Image of God with inherent dignity and worth, so we want our government to do whatever it can to protect people fleeing persecution whether that's based on their faith, their race, their political opinion, their service to the U.S. military in Afghanistan or any other factor.' He cited the Bible and said that 'Jesus' command to love our neighbors was elaborated upon with a story of a Good Samaritan who cared for a vulnerable traveler in need who happened to be of a different religion.' Timothy Young of Global Refuge is disappointed that despite court rulings, the Trump administration has not taken action to admit refugees conditionally approved before the program was suspended. 'It is also unclear if the 90-day report by the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security has been submitted to the White House for consideration of the program's resumption,' he said. 'Unfortunately, this lack of transparency deepens concerns about whether legal mandates and procedural norms are being upheld in a meaningful way.' Young said that refugee resettlement is a lifeline for families fleeing persecution and violence, many of whom have waited years to complete exhaustive screening and security vetting. 'Thousands of refugee families sold their belongings, vacated temporary housing, and prepared for imminent travel to the United States, only to be left in indefinite limbo with no clear explanation. The human cost of these delays is devastating, especially for Afghan allies, the religiously persecuted and others with no alternative path to safety.' 'What's at stake is more than programmatic continuity, but America's standing as a humanitarian leader,' he said. The Trump administration's lack of transparency over the refugee report leads analysts and advocates to believe it was not intended to restart refugee admissions but to justify keeping the door to refugees securely closed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal court in Seattle hears arguments on Trump suspension of refugee aid
The Brief The fight over Donald Trump's executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was back in Seattle court on Wednesday. Those who filed the lawsuit say the order violates the Refugee Act of 1980 and the Administrator Procedure Act, but the government argued against the accusations. SEATTLE - The fight over the abrupt withholding of federal dollars for refugee aid was back in court. The hearing was held in Seattle Wednesday, at the federal courthouse of the Western District of Washington. The hearing follows a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Timeline On January 27, the president's executive order went into effect, suspending all refugee entry into the United States. The order also abruptly suspended millions of federal dollars for admissions agencies and resettlement programs that serve refugees. A week before the order began, The Trump Administration said, "The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees. This order suspends the USRAP program until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States." The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit, Pacito et al v. Trump, with the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit was filed against the executive order on behalf of nine impacted people and refugee advocacy groups that support them. The lawsuit challenges the president's refugee ban, stating it violates the Refugee Act of 1980, and the Administrator Procedure Act. In March, a U.S. District Court Judge in Seattle filed a preliminary injunction against the executive order. The IRAP also explained the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, "partially denied the government's motion to stay the first preliminary injunction," in lawsuit challenging the president's executive order. The IRPA further explained, "The court ruled that the injunction will remain in effect for refugees who were conditionally approved as of January 20, 2025 – many of whom were ready to travel to the United States when President Trump suspended the refugee program." Now, the IRPA and lawyers for the plaintiffs in this case are accusing the defendants, the federal government, of not complying with the court's injunction order. "This has turned into a game of whack-a-mole. At each turn, they invent a new strategy to avoid their legal obligations. The effect of this delay on refugees and the organizations that serve them has been devastating," said one attorney representing the plaintiffs. The representatives with the U.S. Department of Justice, representing the President in the lawsuit, denied the accusations. Representatives said the government was waiting for clarification from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to determine the government's next steps. "The government strongly disagrees with any suggestion that the government has been out of compliance. The government complies within junctions, and if it believes they are not appropriate, it seeks further review either from the issuing court or from a court of appeals, as may be appropriate," said one representative. "The government swiftly sought the Ninth Circuit's clarification because we believe that the Ninth Circuit is the court in the best position to interpret its own order. We are hopeful that the court will soon give clarity on this question." It had been more than a month since the Ninth Circuit and the federal court in Seattle ruled on the injunctions. During Wednesday's federal court hearing, plaintiffs said the government had made no action to abide by the rules and accused the government of stalling. "It is clear the defendants do not plan to comply with either preliminary injunction, and conditionally approved refugees will suffer the consequences," said one plaintiff attorney. "I think plaintiffs would submit that slowing down is not only inappropriate, but it would undermine the order of the Ninth Circuit that we are asking this court to enforce, as well as its own preliminary injunction orders," said a representative of the Ninth Court. A federal court judge in Seattle said he would decide the next steps in this case by the end of Wednesday. Regarding the resumption of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, the White House wrote, "Within 90 days of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the President through the Homeland Security Advisor regarding whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States, in light of the policies outlined in section 2 of this order. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit further reports every 90 days thereafter until I determine that resumption of the USRAP is in the interests of the United States." The Source Information in this story is from the International Refugee Assistance Project, the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Convicted child molester linked to missing WA grandmother case FBI investigating Tesla charging station damaged overnight in Lacey Remains of Laurie Krage identified in Pierce County, WA cold case Police: Man sets building on fire during Auburn standoff, likely dead Juvenile shot near King County middle school, deputies say Tariffs live updates: Trump's sweeping plan takes effect, including 104% on China To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
