A man in Los Angeles found himself in a shocking situation right after his immigration case was dismissed. Erick Eduardo Fonseca Solorzano was leaving a courtroom with his wife and eight-year-old son when federal agents suddenly surrounded him and placed him in handcuffs. This unexpected turn of events left his family in distress.
Just moments before, Judge Peter A. Kim had dismissed Fonseca Solorzano’s deportation case. As the agents explained in Spanish that he would face expedited removal proceedings, his wife trembled in fear. Their son watched in disbelief, tears welling in his eyes as his father was taken away. The boy remained silent, staying close to his mother, who was clearly shaken.
Lindsay Toczylowski, the chief executive of Immigrant Defenders Law Center, expressed deep concern for the boy, stating, “This kid will be traumatized for life.” Toczylowski had reached out to help the family with their case.
This incident is part of a troubling trend across the country. The Department of Homeland Security has been dismissing deportation cases only to arrest immigrants immediately afterward, pushing them into expedited removal processes that do not involve a hearing before a judge. This approach appears to be part of the Trump administration’s strategy to speed up deportations. Under current policies, immigrants who cannot prove they have been in the U.S. for more than two years risk being deported without any judicial review.
Fonseca Solorzano, originally from Honduras, had entered the U.S. legally through an application process established during the Biden administration, which allowed asylum seekers to enter after passing a background check. Toczylowski noted that this was his first court appearance, and many who were arrested recently shared similar stories.
The courthouse arrests have sparked frustration among immigrant rights advocates. They argue that this tactic is changing the rules for migrants who are trying to follow legal procedures. Talia Inlender, from the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA, said that the immigration court should be a place for immigrants to present their cases fairly, but that right is being undermined.
Witnesses reported seeing a coordinated effort by Homeland Security lawyers and federal agents. In one instance, an agent in plain clothes signaled to others when a subject was about to exit the courtroom. This led to a quick arrest, leaving family members distraught.
Richard Pulido, another immigrant who faced a similar fate, had come to the U.S. from Venezuela after fleeing violence. He was confused and worried about what a case dismissal would mean for him, voicing his desire to contribute positively to the country. However, the judge dismissed his case, leaving him vulnerable to expedited removal.
The situation highlights the fear and uncertainty faced by many immigrants. As arrests continue in courthouses, advocates worry about the chilling effect this will have on those seeking justice and protection under U.S. law.