Immigrant Survivors Caught in ICE's Crosshairs
Department of Homeland Security vs. Crime Survivors
A recent legal battle has sparked concerns about how U.S. immigration policies are affecting vulnerable individuals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insists that immigration enforcement is focused on those who pose a threat, but a lawsuit paints a different picture. It claims that a new ICE policy is leading to the detention and deportation of immigrants who have survived serious crimes, including human trafficking and domestic abuse.
The Lawsuit: A Challenge to ICE's New Policy
The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles court, argues that this policy disregards protections that Congress had put in place to help these survivors. These protections include visas for victims of crimes and trafficking, known as U and T visas. The policy also targets those who are in the process of applying for these protections.
ICE's new approach is a significant shift from past practices, where immigration agencies generally avoided enforcing rules against crime survivors unless there were serious concerns. The lawsuit argues that this change is not only unjust but also illegal.
Jackie Merlos: A Survivor's Story
One of the plaintiffs in the case is Jackie Merlos, a 48-year-old from Honduras who has lived in the U.S. for over two decades. She applied for a U visa after a traumatic incident in 2023, where she and her husband were held at gunpoint. Despite being granted permission to stay in the U.S., Merlos was detained by ICE in June 2025 during a family reunion near the Canadian border.
Merlos' children, who are U.S. citizens, were also detained but later released. Merlos remains in detention, separated from her children and fearing that her husband may have been deported. Her case has gained attention, with local representatives and advocacy groups pushing for her release.
The Lawsuit's Demands
The lawsuit seeks to secure the release of all plaintiffs currently in ICE custody and the return of those who have been deported. Advocates argue that the current policy is discouraging immigrants from reporting crimes and is causing further harm to survivors.