No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCentral AmericaHondurasFamilies Traumatized After U.S. Deports Honduran Women and American Children

Families Traumatized After U.S. Deports Honduran Women and American Children

The families of two Honduran women deported by the administration of former President Donald Trump — along with three American children, one of whom is battling cancer, and a Honduran girl — are facing a deeply traumatic situation, according to their lawyers and human rights activists.

In a new case highlighting the impact of Trump-era immigration policies, Honduran nationals Jenny López Villela and an unidentified woman were deported on Friday. López was deported with her two-year-old daughter, while the other woman was deported with her four- and seven-year-old sons, according to reports from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Project (NIP). All three children are American citizens.

López, who is pregnant, was also deported with her 11-year-old Honduran daughter. The younger of the two sons of the second woman has been diagnosed with cancer, according to the advocacy organizations.

A correspondent attempted to contact the families in Honduras. However, López’s attorney, Mich González, and Michelle Méndez, Legal Resources Director at the NIP, said in a phone call from the United States that the women have requested privacy as they endure the stress of their abrupt deportations and the separation from the children’s fathers.

“They are scared,” said González. “Both families are going through something very difficult and have expressed that they can’t believe this is happening to them. They are trying to figure out how to recover and what steps to take next.” Michelle Méndez called the situation “tragic,” emphasizing that the families have experienced “trauma and very difficult moments.”

The women were reportedly detained while attending routine immigration check-ins with officials in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to their attorneys, they were “tricked” into deportation by immigration agents. In response, Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s former border enforcement czar, told reporters at the White House on Monday that it was the mothers who “made the decision” and “requested” to take their children with them to Honduras.

“If you choose to have a U.S. citizen child knowing that you are in this country illegally, you put yourself in that position,” Homan said. In a related development, a federal judge in Louisiana announced a hearing scheduled for May 16 to investigate whether the government deported a U.S. citizen — López’s daughter — without due process. The case raises serious concerns over constitutional protections for American-born children during immigration enforcement actions.

The deportations come amid an ongoing legal battle surrounding a Trump administration decree, signed in January, aiming to abolish the constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in the United States. Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio García described the deportation as an “express repatriation” and reiterated an offer of support to the families made over the weekend by President Xiomara Castro, though he did not provide details about what assistance would be offered.

Trending Now

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Costa Rica’s President Chaves Accused of Illicit Campaign Financing

On Monday, Costa Rica’s Prosecutor’s Office formally accused President Rodrigo Chaves along with six high-ranking officials and pro-government legislators of allegedly engaging in illicit...

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica