A recent decision by US District Judge Terry Doughty has brought renewed attention to the scandalous deportation of a two-year-old US citizen. This young woman, known in court as VML, was deported with her mother, Villela. The disaster, which took place while Trump was still in the White House, has sparked intense criticism of the administration’s immigration crackdown. VML, with whom her mother has legal custody, was at risk of deportation. Doughty characterized the proceedings plagued by a “complete absence of meaningful process,” detailing shocking procedural mishaps in the case’s handling.
Villela and her daughter VML were deported while the Trump administration was aggressively pursuing mass arrests and deportations of immigrants. This policy agenda has served as the cornerstone of Donald Trump’s presidential bids, frequently centering around anti-immigrant rhetoric and calls for tougher border security. VML’s father, Mack, is understandably heartbroken over what happened. He continues to pursue all available avenues to get his daughter back home to the United States.
As the case played out in Monroe, Louisiana—in Judge Doughty’s courtroom—Judge Doughty was the judge overseeing the hearings. Throughout the proceedings, he stated several times his grave concerns that VML’s deportation was not legal. He argued that it is, in fact, “illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or refer for deportation a US citizen.” He stressed that VML, being a US citizen by birth, has rights that need to be protected and should not be encroached upon.
Mack recounted a heart-wrenching scene when Villela and the children were taken away: “I could hear Villela and the children crying.” He argued that VML should not be deported at all, due to her status as a citizen. In his speech, he called for urgent action to address the crisis.
Villela had legal custodianship and wished to keep VML with her as she journeyed to Honduras. The deportation came so fast, there was no time to respond. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) response was swift and severe, condemning the act as a “shocking … abuse of power.” They claim that these moves break settled guidance. These directives are meant to ensure coordinated, compassionate care for minor children left behind during deportations, and they have been backed by other advocacy groups.
Critics have pointed out issues with court docs that call VML “VML.” This kind of language depersonalizes a child caught up in a traumatic and confusing legal quagmire. The transportation advocacy organization brought attention to a major theme. They noted that these deportation operations undermine ICE directives, both written and hayek-style, that mandate which marked with willing caretakers for children, regardless of their immigration status.
In a joint hearing now scheduled for May 19, even more debates over this case will likely continue to play out. Legal advocates and experts are closely monitoring these developments. They are eager to see what it will mean for national immigration law and on behalf of US citizens at risk of deportation.