Human Impact Project

A 35-year-old mother of two was detained by ICE agents in an unmarked van outside a New Jersey courthouse after testifying as a witness in a sexual assault case. She was subsequently forced to self-deport from the United States.

Octavio Andrade-Aguilera, a Mexican national, was transferred to ICE custody at the Etowah County Detention Center in Alabama on April 5, 2026, after a federal judge in Chattanooga had ordered his release to avoid harming his wife and disabled American citizen daughter. Andrade-Aguilera is the sole financial support for his family and faces federal charges for reentering the country without authorization.

Bernadette Gamez, 36, of Modesto, and Wendy Villagran, 22, of Stockton, were arrested Tuesday evening after police said they painted 'ICE OUT' on a public roadway during a demonstration near Doctors Medical Center. Both were booked on suspicion of felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a crime. The protest was organized in response to an ICE shooting incident in nearby Patterson. The city's Public Works Department is working to remove the graffiti.

Brian José Morales García, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen born in Denver who does not speak English and holds dual citizenship in Mexico, was deported after a Texas Department of Public Safety officer pulled over the construction crew he was riding with near Fredericksburg. He said officers, including Gillespie County sheriff's deputies who also responded, refused his offer to retrieve his Social Security card and birth certificate from his Austin home, and he was held five days before signing removal paperwork out of fear he would otherwise be detained for months. He spent about four months in Mexico with relatives before the federal government let him return to Austin, where he hopes to resume work installing air conditioners and previously worked as a painter; in his free time he enjoys watching soccer, including Mexico's Liga MX. His attorney, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, said the case reflects racial profiling by local police working with ICE under Texas's expanding 287(g) partnerships, including agreements held by DPS and the Gillespie County Sheriff's Office. DHS has said its agents did not arrest a citizen and maintained Morales was in the country illegally, while Morales continues to pursue a federal civil rights lawsuit.

A pregnant Venezuelan woman was arrested by ICE while traveling to a medical center in Seattle. Her 10-month-old baby was also taken into ICE custody during the operation. According to local police, the arrest was executed by the Department of Homeland Security based on a criminal court order allegedly related to human trafficking allegations, not immigration violations.

Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC freshman, lost his right eye after a Department of Homeland Security officer fired a less-lethal projectile at him during a "No Kings" rally near the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles. Collins was attending the protest to take photos when he was struck directly in the eye, destroying his eyeball and fracturing bones in his eye socket. He is preparing to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against DHS, alleging the officer violated a federal injunction.

ICE agents arrested a U.S. citizen in Chicago after alleging she made a threat. The woman and onlookers disputed the allegation. Agents forced her to the ground and zip-tied her hands. The arrest followed a failed ICE attempt to access a nearby laundromat, where protesters had gathered.

ICE detained a mother of a newly enlisted U.S. military member without warning or explanation. The woman had lived in the United States for over 35 years, paid taxes since 1992, and worked in the courts.

ICE agents arrested a nursing student in his 20s from Southern Connecticut State University on Main Street in Middletown on Tuesday, April 1st, after following him from the courthouse and blocking in his vehicle at the intersection of Main and Court streets. Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera said local police were not notified of the operation and the man was not a city resident. In response, protesters gathered on Saturday, April 4th at Washington and Main streets to oppose the arrest and ICE enforcement activity in the area, with an additional rally scheduled for Monday outside the university library demanding the student's release. The Trump administration launched "Operation Catch of the Day," an ICE enforcement operation in Maine targeting noncitizens the administration claims have criminal records. ICE agents identified nearly 1,400 individuals for potential detention in Portland, prompting criticism from local officials and Democratic state leaders who questioned the tactics and raised concerns about impacts on Maine's Somali American community.

Stephanie Kenny-Velasquez, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national and wife of a U.S. Army Reserve Black Hawk pilot, was detained by ICE in Houston on December 5, 2025, during a routine check-in despite having been released in 2021 pending her asylum claim and consistently complying with all required appointments and hearings. She was held at the Houston Contract Detention Facility for approximately four months. A federal judge found due-process violations and ordered her release within 48 hours, permitting her to continue her immigration case outside of detention. Kenny-Velasquez reported poor conditions including overcrowding (60 women), lack of privacy, inadequate food, anxiety attacks, and limited access to medical care.

A Chinese national filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus challenging his prolonged immigration detention without a bond hearing, arguing it violated due process rights. The government conceded that he was entitled to a bond hearing and agreed to bear the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that he poses a danger to the community or risk of flight. On March 26, 2026, the federal court granted his petition and ordered respondents to arrange a bond hearing before an immigration court within seven days. The court declined to order his immediate release or issue further declaratory or injunctive relief. He must pursue any request for attorneys' fees through a separate noticed motion.

Efrain C.G., a Mexican citizen who entered the U.S. in 1993 and has been working since arrival, was arrested by ICE on April 7, 2026, at the Fresno County Superior Courthouse while inquiring about charges from a December 2025 domestic violence incident. He had no prior criminal history except traffic violations and no prior immigration history. The court ordered he receive a bond hearing within 14 days or be immediately released.

Lydia Rabara Swinburne, a 39-year-old Filipino national, was detained by ICE on April 7, 2026, during a green card interview after local authorities arrested her on domestic violence charges that were later dropped. On May 2, while in custody at the California City ICE facility, she suffered a medical emergency after being given unrecognized medication; her husband alleges a medication error occurred. A federal judge ordered her release on May 18 after her family filed a habeas corpus petition challenging her detention.

A man was arrested by DHS federal agents in the 500 block of Moffet Road in Lake Bluff on Tuesday morning. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights reported it as an immigration arrest, though DHS has not confirmed the reason. Video showed the man telling agents he does not speak English as they asked about weapons and referenced his paperwork. Lake Bluff Police were not present and DHS had not communicated with local authorities about the arrest.

A 76-year-old Indonesian father was detained by ICE agents outside the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center on April 7 while attempting to drop assault charges against his 47-year-old son in court. The father was released shortly after his detention, but his son remained in immigration detention over two weeks later. The incident has raised concerns among advocates about immigrants risking deportation when participating in the justice system. Advocates have called for restrictions on ICE activity at the courthouse, where dozens of immigrants have been arrested in the past 15 months.

Otofu Ayaku, a UT Austin graduate originally from Nigeria, was arrested during a traffic stop in March and detained for approximately one month in two Houston-area facilities. Though their criminal charges were dropped, Ayaku was released on bond with an ankle monitor while their immigration case continues. Ayaku has described their detention experience as dystopian, noting the lack of privacy and control, and has remained connected to other detained migrants they met during their time in custody.

Carmen F., an immigrant from South America, called police on her abusive husband and he was deported. She applied for a U visa, which provides crime victims a pathway to permanent residency if they cooperate with law enforcement. However, with a backlog causing wait times exceeding 15 years, the Trump administration has been deporting U visa applicants contrary to longstanding ICE policy. Carmen was detained and deported back to her home country with her young son, where her abusive ex-husband was waiting at the airport.

A father of two disabled children was deported to Mexico after being pulled over by ICE while driving to his drywall installation job. The deportation occurred despite his family obligations and care responsibilities for his disabled children.

Salah Sarsour, 53, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and a lawful permanent resident for over 32 years, was detained by ICE on March 30, 2026, after being pulled over while driving in the Milwaukee area. DHS alleged he provided false information on his 1998 green card application, citing convictions from an Israeli military court when he was a minor for throwing Molotov cocktails and weapons possession. Despite having no U.S. criminal record, being married to a U.S. citizen, and having six U.S. citizen children, he was transferred to detention facilities in Chicago and Clay County jail in Indiana. Within 24 hours, the Muslim Legal Fund of America filed in federal court seeking immediate relief. His attorneys disputed the allegations and claimed he was being targeted for his Palestinian background and pro-Palestinian advocacy, noting that U.S. authorities had long known about the prior convictions.

Haydee Mercado-Rodriguez, 34, of El Salvador, was arrested April 9, 2026, during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas. ICE identified her as an MS-13 gang member and foreign fugitive convicted in El Salvador of homicide-related and other offenses. She remains in custody pending removal. Minh Duy Tong Nguyen, 54, of Vietnam, was arrested April 16, 2026, during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas. ICE reported he was convicted of murder in Houston in 1991 and had a longstanding removal order. He remains in custody pending removal. Carlos Carmona-Palomo, 29, of Mexico, was arrested April 6, 2026, during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas. ICE identified him as a foreign fugitive wanted for homicide. He was deported April 21, 2026. Leobardo Nieves-Vasquez, 35, of Mexico, was arrested April 7, 2026, during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas. ICE reported he was convicted of intoxication manslaughter in Angelina County, Texas. He was deported April 9, 2026. Eric Eusevio Cortez, 44, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors. Some individuals with such convictions have been deported while others remain in custody pending removal proceedings. Manuel Navarrete-Arellano, 43, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors. Some individuals with such convictions have been deported while others remain in custody pending removal proceedings. Yeslin Orellana Manchame, 30, of Honduras, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported she had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors. Filiberto Aleman Sanchez, 55, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors. Brian Rivera Santoyo, 22, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions related to drug offenses, immigration violations, or other crimes. Heros Cantu, 33, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions related to drug offenses, immigration violations, or other crimes. Jose Artemio Sanchez-Garcia, 61, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions related to drug offenses, immigration violations, or other crimes. Javier Ramirez, a U.S. citizen and single father of two, was arrested during a Border Patrol roving patrol at a tow yard in Montebello and charged in federal court with assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. According to a federal criminal complaint, agents conducted a roving patrol and engaged subjects in a consensual encounter in a parking lot on West Olympic Boulevard. Security camera video showed agents entering the fenced property, and Ramirez was wrestled to the ground while shouting. His attorney contests the charges, stating that Ramirez did not assault anyone, raised his hands when confronted, and was not attempting to flee. The incident occurred as part of broader Border Patrol enforcement operations in Southern California. Pedro Joel Martinez, 52, of El Salvador, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions for sexual offenses involving minors. Some individuals with such convictions have been deported while others remain in custody pending removal proceedings. Cristian Muratalla Rodriguez, 29, of Mexico, was arrested during an ICE enforcement operation in Southeast Texas between April 6 and April 17, 2026. ICE reported he had prior convictions related to drug offenses, immigration violations, or other crimes.