NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Immigration officials have deported a father living in Alabama to Laos despite a federal court order blocking his removal from the U.S. on the grounds he has a claim to citizenship, the man’s attorneys said Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to keep Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath, 44, in the United States while he presented what she described as his substantial claim of U.S. citizenship. Souvannarath was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and was granted lawful permanent residence in the U.S. shortly after his birth.
However, on Sunday, Souvannarath messaged his wife to inform her he had arrived in Dongmakkhai, Laos, leaving his family distraught. It is very unfortunate, especially for the children that we have together, Beatrice Souvannarath told AP.
The deportation has drawn significant attention, with the ACLU of Louisiana calling it a stunning violation of a federal court order. They emphasized that removing a person protected under such an order raised serious legal and ethical concerns.
Alanah Odoms, executive director for the ACLU of Louisiana commented, ICE just ignored a federal court order and tore yet another family apart. The administration's approach towards immigration enforcement has been widely criticized, particularly its disregard for judicial rulings.
Critics argue that this incident illustrates the ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy, especially as similar cases of wrongful deportations have surfaced in the past. Chanthila Souvannarath was detained after an annual check-in with immigration authorities in June, alongside his two young children which further complicates the emotional ramifications of this case.
Historically, deportations under the Trump administration have been mired in controversy, often resulting in families being torn apart. Souvannarath, who claimed to have lived continuously in the U.S. since infancy and believed himself to be an American citizen, stated, I have always considered myself an American citizen. His father is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Laos, which adds to his claims of citizenship.
Federal Judge Dick ruled on a temporary restraining order, highlighting the irreparable harm that could occur from his deportation. Though the government has an interest in immigration enforcement, the potential removal of a U.S. citizen weighs heavily against the public interest, she stated. This ruling underscores the challenges of legal representation and the complexities surrounding immigration law.
