Federal Court Orders Return of DACA Recipient Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez After Wrongful Deportation
A recent federal court ruling mandates the U.S. government to allow the return of Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, a Sacramento mother who was deported shortly after arriving for her green card appointment. Despite having legal permission to stay in the country, Estrada Juarez was detained during her appointment, sparking national attention on enforcement actions against Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The court's decision, granted by Judge Dena M. Coggins, requires the government to facilitate her return within seven days due to legal deficiencies in her removal.
Estrada Juarez, a DACA recipient since 2014, expressed relief and hope upon hearing about the court's ruling. She emphasized the pain of being separated from her daughter and home, stressing her desire to reunite with her family and rebuild her life. Attorney Stacy Tolchin highlighted the unlawfulness of Estrada Juarez's deportation, citing her DACA status as protection against removal from the U.S. The ruling is expected to reunite her with her U.S. citizen daughter.
The Department of Homeland Security previously stated that DACA does not confer legal status and claimed Estrada Juarez had a final removal order from 1998. However, FWD.us revealed that the alleged removal order was not finalized under federal regulations, as it lacked supervisory approval. This case underscores the government's failures in enforcing removal orders and highlights the administration's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, even targeting individuals following legal pathways to reside in the country.
Enforcement actions against DACA recipients have intensified under the current administration, with DHS reporting deportations and detentions of individuals with DACA status. Despite claims of criminal histories among those detained, details on the allegations or convictions were not provided. Estrada Juarez's swift deportation within 24 hours raised concerns among legal experts, especially considering her prior federal permission to travel in and out of the country.
Estrada Juarez's daughter, Damaris Bello, expressed the devastating impact of her mother's absence and gratitude for the court's recognition of the wrongful deportation. The family eagerly awaits Estrada Juarez's return, emphasizing the importance of reuniting her with her loved ones. The court's decision offers hope for Estrada Juarez to come back home and resume her life in the U.S.