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Transgender immigrant deported to Mexico despite judge's torture order, government seeks remedy

Nov 18, 2025 · Las Vegas, NV, Mexico

Britania Uriostegui Rios, a Mexican transgender woman who entered the U.S. in 2003, was deported to Mexico on November 11, 2024, despite a federal judge's March order blocking her removal based on findings that she faced a substantial risk of torture. Uriostegui Rios is a trauma survivor who was sexually trafficked by cartels as a young person and faces significant threats in Mexico due to her transgender identity. She was deported without medications, identification, money, or a cell phone and went into hiding in Tijuana. ICE and Department of Justice officials acknowledged the deportation violated the immigration judge's order and was improper. The Trump administration offered to allow her to voluntarily return to the U.S., where she would be placed back in ICE custody while the government seeks an alternative country for deportation. Her legal team filed suit to prevent her return to federal custody and to secure her release under supervision, arguing the government cannot be trusted to follow court orders.

Timeline

Nov 2025Trump administration offered to allow Uriostegui Rios to voluntarily return to the U.S. while seeking an alternative country for deportation; her legal team filed suit to prevent her return to federal custody and to secure her release under supervision
Nov 18, 2024ICE and Department of Justice officials acknowledged the deportation was improper and violated the immigration judge's order
Nov 11, 2024Uriostegui Rios was deported to Mexico in violation of the judge's order, without medications, identification, money, or a cell phone
Mar 1, 2024Immigration judge ordered that Britania Uriostegui Rios not be removed, concluding she was likely to face torture in her home country

Sources

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