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DHS accused of libel for calling detained Utah man predator

Dec 9, 2025·Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Country of origin: Mexico

DHS accused of libel for calling detained Utah man predator
Photo via Instagram

Jair Celis, a 29-year-old Utah father and soccer coach, was detained by ICE during his final green card interview despite being married to a U.S. citizen. The Department of Homeland Security posted on social media claiming Celis had a history of child sexual abuse, referencing sealed juvenile court records from when he was a minor. His attorneys plan to sue DHS for libel, arguing that juvenile cases are civil proceedings that cannot be used as convictions and should not be publicly disclosed.

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