Father of Three Marines Wins Deportation Case

Santa Ana, CA, USAThu Feb 12 2026
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A judge in California has ended a deportation lawsuit against a man who is the father of three U. S. Marines. The case began when immigration officers stopped him while he was trimming weeds near a restaurant in Santa Ana. They handcuffed him and sent him to a detention center, then started deportation proceedings. He was released on bond and put on an ankle monitor. The U. S. government said the officers felt threatened by him. They claimed he raised his weed trimmer toward them, but no evidence was shown. The incident drew national attention and became a symbol of the Trump era’s hard‑border stance. Judge Kristin Piepmeier decided to drop the case on January 28.
She noted that he is a father of three U. S. citizens who serve in the military. That fact makes him eligible for a special immigration program called Parole in Place. The program protects parents of U. S. military members from being sent back to their home country and speeds up the path to permanent residency. Once his request is approved, he will also receive a work permit. The man said he still feels unsafe. He has limited his outings to church services and is worried about being arrested again. He sees the judge’s decision as a victory, but he wants full legal protection. The case shows how family ties to the military can influence immigration decisions. It also highlights ongoing debates about enforcement tactics and human rights.
https://localnews.ai/article/father-of-three-marines-wins-deportation-case-1a51b778

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