A Louisiana family has filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after their 4-year-old son, battling stage-4 kidney cancer, was unlawfully deported to Honduras. The boy, identified as “Romeo,” along with his mother and sister, was removed from the U.S. during a routine ICE check-in and placed on a flight to Honduras, interrupting his critical cancer treatment.
ICE’s Unlawful Deportation of U.S. Citizens
The lawsuit alleges that Romeo and his family were subjected to an illegal deportation process, with ICE agents denying the mother, Rosario, the right to speak with a lawyer or arrange care for her children. Despite being U.S. citizens, the family was transported without warning, with Romeo’s medical treatment disrupted, causing grave risks to his health. The case has raised serious concerns about the violation of constitutional rights, particularly for children like Romeo, whose health has deteriorated due to the lack of access to necessary care.
The Impact of the Deportation on Romeo’s Health
Romeo, diagnosed with stage-4 kidney cancer in 2023, had been receiving treatment at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. His health worsened after the cancer spread to his lungs, requiring regular visits for emergency and oncological care. The family claims the deportation has put Romeo’s medical condition in jeopardy, as he is now unable to access critical healthcare in Honduras.
Allegations of Violating Due Process
The lawsuit contends that ICE violated its own policies and federal law by denying the family the opportunity to make arrangements for their U.S. citizen children before deportation. Legal experts argue that this act constitutes a violation of due process, depriving the family of their constitutional rights. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and injunctions to return the family to the U.S., holding ICE accountable for its actions.
Disputes Over ICE’s Claims
ICE has defended its actions, suggesting that the mothers voluntarily requested their children accompany them. However, the families’ attorneys strongly dispute this claim, emphasizing the lack of consent or due process throughout the deportation process. U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty expressed concern over the potential unlawful deportation of a U.S. citizen without meaningful legal procedures.
Legal and Civil Rights Groups Condemn the Deportation
The deportation has sparked outrage from civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, which condemned the action as an egregious violation of constitutional rights. Advocates have highlighted the vulnerability of the affected children, stressing the serious repercussions of such actions on their health and well-being.