ICE Deports Mother of Two US Citizen Infants After Missed Hearing Amid Emergency C-Section

On Tuesday, immigration officials in Texas confirmed the deportation of a mother of four, whose twins were born in the U.S. and hold citizenship. The incident has raised questions about the treatment of families in deportation proceedings and the prioritization of legal options available to individuals facing removal from the country.

Timeline of Events

The mother, identified as Cristina Geraldyn Salazar-Hinojosa, 23, was deported after missing a scheduled hearing while recovering from an emergency C-section for her twins. Media reports initially suggested that the entire family, including the newborn twins and two other children, were deported together. However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) clarified that only Salazar-Hinojosa was deported, emphasizing that U.S. citizens cannot be deported. The children’s father, Federico Arellano, is a U.S. citizen.

Legal Proceedings and Miscommunication

Salazar-Hinojosa was initially scheduled for an immigration hearing but had to postpone it due to her emergency C-section. ICE alleged that Salazar-Hinojosa entered the U.S. illegally on June 28 through the Rio Grande Valley area, and she was subsequently released under the Alternatives to Detention program pending her immigration proceedings. However, Salazar-Hinojosa was ordered removed by a judge after failing to attend a hearing on October 9.

The family’s attorney, Isaias Torres, expressed concerns about the handling of the case, stating that legal options were available but not provided to the family. Torres also emphasized that Salazar-Hinojosa missed the hearing due to medical advice and that the family attempted to inform the court, only to be misled into reporting to a location where they were arrested instead.

Presidential Policies and the Impact on Families

President Joe Biden has faced criticism regarding immigration policies, with some Republicans claiming that his administration's approach has resulted in increased illegal immigration at the border. However, the Migration Policy Institute reported in June that Biden’s deportations were on track to surpass those of Donald Trump's first administration. This was notable considering Trump's commitment to execute a large-scale mass deportation operation and his proposal to eliminate the constitutional guarantee of citizenship for individuals born in the United States.

A report by the Government Accountability Office in 2021 highlighted concerns regarding ICE's handling of potential U.S. citizens in deportation proceedings, revealing that ICE had arrested and removed individuals who may have been U.S. citizens but had not maintained sufficient data on such deportations.

Addressing the Needs of Families in Deportation Proceedings

The deportation of a mother from her children, particularly under such circumstances, raises significant concerns about the welfare of families within the immigration system. The miscommunication between the family and the court, as well as the subsequent arrest, underscores the need for improved channels of communication and a more compassionate approach to handling immigration cases involving families.

As immigration policies continue to evolve, it is crucial for authorities to prioritize the best interests of families, ensuring that legal options are made available and that individuals are given fair opportunities to present their cases without the threat of separation from their loved ones. The recent incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding the rights and well-being of families entangled in the immigration system, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in addressing their unique challenges.