Ramon Morales-Reyes, a 54-year-old father of three, finds himself in the thick of an incendiary legal fight. These charges stem from allegations that he threatened to kill former President Donald Trump. His arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials was triggered by a false accusation from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. The focus then turned to the often chaotically complicated path of immigration status in this country, and the very real dangers of being wrongfully accused.
The dispute was initially sparked when Governor Noem posted a handwritten letter online. The letter, purportedly from Morales-Reyes’ hand, included a death threat directed at Trump. The letter, which was written entirely in English, had Morales-Reyes’ signature on it. For all of us, this unexpected news caused a knee-jerk reaction and anger from an ICE. They unnecessarily detained Morales-Reyes for public safety to address the risk to national security.
Since local advocates and family members have come forward, they argue that Morales-Reyes didn’t draft the letter and that he is the potential victim of a frame-up. In 2023, he applied for a U-visa after being assaulted in September when a man slashed him with a box cutter before stealing his bicycle. The U-visa was created to allow undocumented victims of crime to live legally in the United States, granting them a pathway to legal residency.
What’s more is the timing of these allegations which opens up even more questions. ICE received the threatening letter this month, coinciding with an increase in rhetoric surrounding Trump’s potential return to office and heightened deportation efforts. One eyewitness to the assault on Morales-Reyes said he was afraid to speak out against the attack because he feared deportation. They had him on camera telling them, “He outta there.”
“The accusations against Ramon are unfounded,” stated Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant advocacy organization. In her testimony, she spoke for Morales-Reyes’ family, highlighting their staunch belief in his innocence.
As her case goes to trial, the implications of Morales-Reyes’ plight reach beyond just one person’s plight. Local immigration advocates stress that this case is symptomatic of a larger problem. Their work targets predominantly the unjust treatment of undocumented people in our criminal justice system. They argue that unjust allegations can drastically impact already marginalized individuals.
“Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars. I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of President Trump.” – Kristi Noem
With trial on the horizon, thousands more continue to watch closely. They’re hoping the courts will treat this case differently, given the serious nature of the allegations against an undocumented immigrant. This issue is especially fraught in the very political climate we’ve found ourselves in since the former President Trump’s administration.
As the trial approaches, many are watching closely to see how the courts will handle this case involving serious allegations against an undocumented immigrant. The intersection of immigration policy and individual rights remains a contentious topic, especially as it pertains to the political climate surrounding former President Trump.