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DACA recipient activist detained at airport, deportation case sent back for review

Apr 28, 2026·Location: El Paso, TX

Country of origin: Mexico

DACA recipient activist detained at airport, deportation case sent back for review
Photo via Newsweek

Catalina Santiago-Santiago, a 28-year-old DACA recipient and immigrant rights activist, was detained by ICE in early August 2025 at El Paso International Airport despite holding valid DACA status. Her attorneys filed a motion to terminate her deportation proceedings based on her DACA protections. On April 24, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that immigration judges cannot terminate deportation proceedings based solely on DACA status without considering the government's reasons for opposing termination. The ruling requires judges to comply with a Biden-era rule and sends Santiago's case back for further review, potentially affecting other DACA recipients in similar proceedings. The Trump administration has stated that DACA recipients are not automatically protected from deportation, contradicting the program's original protections.

Timeline

Apr 24, 2026—Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that immigration judges cannot terminate deportation proceedings based solely on DACA status without considering government's reasons for opposition; case returned for further review
Sep 15, 2025—Santiago's attorneys filed motion to terminate deportation proceedings based on DACA status
Aug 1, 2025—Catalina Santiago-Santiago, DACA recipient and immigrant rights activist, detained by ICE at El Paso International Airport
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