Two-year-old U.S. citizen deported to Honduras by ICE before judge could rule
A 2-year-old U.S. citizen born in Baton Rouge was deported to Honduras with her undocumented mother and sister before a judge could rule on emergency motions to stop it. A federal judge is now investigating the lack of due process.
May 16, 2025New Orleans, LACountry of origin: Honduras

V.M.L., a 2-year-old U.S. citizen born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on January 4, 2023, was detained by ICE on April 22, 2025, during a routine check-in at an Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office in New Orleans. She was apprehended alongside her undocumented mother and 11-year-old sister. When her father provided citizenship documents and his attorney filed emergency motions for habeas corpus and a temporary restraining order to prevent deportation, an ICE officer told the father they would deport his family anyway. The child and her mother were deported to Honduras on April 25, 2025, before the court could rule on the legal motions. The mother was held in an undisclosed location, cut off from family and counsel, and reportedly coerced into accepting deportation under duress. Federal Judge Terry Doughty expressed strong suspicion that the government deported a U.S. citizen "with no meaningful process" in violation of due process protections and scheduled a hearing for May 16 to investigate.
Timeline
Tags
Sources
- Two-year-old US citizen may have been deported without 'meaningful process'
BBC·Apr 26, 2025·archived copy
- 2-year-old U.S. citizen apparently removed from the country 'with no meaningful process,' judge says
NBC News·Apr 28, 2025·archived copy
- Trump administration deported 2-year old US citizen 'with no meaningful process,' judge says
ABC News·Apr 26, 2025·archived copy
- 2-Year-Old U.S. Citizen Deported to Honduras Without Due Process, Federal Judge Says
B Times Online·Apr 26, 2025·archived copy
Show 1 more source ↓Show fewer sources ↑
Loading…
More incidents in Louisiana
- Elder C.: Honduran teen with legal status detained by ICE after Alabama traffic stopOct 16, 2026 · Winnfield, LA
- Three immigrants chased and arrested by ICE at Metairie businessOct 6, 2026 · Metairie, LA
- Lucía: Mother detained three months without seeing her young children, then deportedSep 28, 2026 · Basile, LA
- 20 immigrants detained in Louisiana wildlife and Border Patrol operationSep 26, 2026 · LA
- Jorge M.C.: Father with U visa held by ICE three months, loses 15 kgSep 25, 2026 · LA
- Carlos M.M.: Diabetic Costa Rican father who reported missed insulin dies in ICE custodySep 23, 2026 · LA