Key Takeaways
• Judge Amy Baggio ordered ICE not to remove transgender asylum seeker O-J-M from Oregon on June 3, 2025.
• O-J-M was arrested by ICE after her June 2, 2025 Portland immigration court hearing without lawyer access.
• ICE must notify the court within two hours if O-J-M is moved, including date, time, and reason.
A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to remove a transgender asylum seeker from Oregon, following her arrest outside a Portland immigration courtroom. The order, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio on June 3, 2025, has brought national attention to the treatment of transgender migrants and the current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.
Who is involved?
The main person at the center of this case is a 24-year-old transgender woman from Mexico, identified in court documents as “O-J-M.” She has been living in Vancouver, Washington, and is seeking asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 after fleeing severe threats and violence in her home country. ICE, the federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, arrested her after her court hearing in Portland, Oregon. Judge Amy Baggio, a federal judge in Oregon, issued the order stopping her removal from the state.
What happened?
On June 2, 2025, O-J-M attended a scheduled hearing at the Portland Immigration Court. Instead of proceeding with her asylum application, ICE attorneys moved to dismiss her case. As she left the courtroom, ICE agents arrested her in the courthouse lobby. She was not given a chance to speak with her lawyer, even though a pro bono attorney was present and available to help her.
When and where did this take place?
The arrest happened on June 2, 2025, at the Portland Immigration Court in Oregon. The following day, Judge Baggio issued her order from the U.S. District Court in Oregon.
Why is this important?
This case highlights how immigration enforcement actions can affect vulnerable groups, especially transgender asylum seekers. It also raises questions about due process, legal representation, and the rights of people seeking protection in the United States 🇺🇸.
How did the judge respond?
Judge Baggio’s order blocks ICE from removing O-J-M from Oregon. The order also requires ICE to notify the court immediately if she is moved and to provide details about any transfer, including the date, time, and reason for the move.
Timeline of Events
To better understand the situation, here is a summary of key events in O-J-M’s case:
- September 2023: O-J-M flees Mexico and seeks asylum at the Calexico, California port of entry. She is arrested, detained, and later released.
- February 6, 2025: She files her formal asylum application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- April 21, 2025 (approximate): Immigration officials begin removal proceedings and schedule her court hearing for June 2, 2025.
- June 2, 2025: O-J-M attends her hearing in Portland. ICE attorneys move to dismiss her case, and she is arrested by ICE agents in the courthouse lobby.
- June 2, 2025: Her attorneys file a habeas corpus petition, a legal request to bring her before a federal judge.
- June 3, 2025: Judge Baggio issues an order stopping ICE from removing her from Oregon.
Judge Baggio’s Order: What Does It Mean?
Judge Baggio’s order is a strong response to ICE’s actions. Here are the main points:
- ICE cannot remove O-J-M from Oregon.
- If ICE has already moved her, they must tell the judge within two hours of receiving the order.
- ICE must provide the exact date and time of any move and explain why it was necessary.
This order acts as a check on ICE’s power, making sure that the agency does not act without oversight, especially in sensitive cases involving asylum seekers.
The Asylum Claim: Why Did O-J-M Flee Mexico?
O-J-M’s asylum claim is based on serious threats and violence she suffered in Mexico 🇲🇽 because she is a transgender woman. According to court documents:
- In 2021, she was sexually assaulted by members of the Knights Templar, a violent Mexican drug cartel.
- The cartel members threatened to kill her because of her gender identity.
- Fearing for her life, she left Mexico and sought protection in the United States 🇺🇸.
Her story is not unique. Many transgender asylum seekers face extreme danger in their home countries, including violence, discrimination, and threats from criminal groups.
Where Is O-J-M Now?
As of June 3, 2025, O-J-M’s lawyers did not know where she was being held. This uncertainty is made worse by Oregon’s sanctuary laws, which do not allow local jails to contract with federal immigration authorities. Oregon does not have long-term immigration detention centers. The closest facility is in Tacoma, Washington.
This situation makes it hard for lawyers and family members to locate and support detained immigrants, especially those with urgent legal needs.
ICE and Department of Homeland Security Response
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, released a statement on June 3, 2025, defending its actions. The agency said:
- Most people who entered the United States 🇺🇸 in the past two years are subject to expedited removal, a process that allows for quick deportation without a full court hearing.
- Arrests at immigration courts are part of a new approach, different from the previous administration.
- “ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been. If they have a valid credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation,” the statement read.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has reversed the previous administration’s “catch and release” policy, which allowed many people to stay in the country while their cases were pending.
This shift in policy means that even people with pending asylum claims, like O-J-M, can be arrested and quickly removed unless a judge intervenes.
Legal Representation and Advocacy
O-J-M is represented by attorney Stephen Manning, who filed a habeas corpus petition on her behalf. A habeas corpus petition is a legal request asking a judge to order the government to bring a detained person before the court, usually to challenge the legality of their detention.
Manning’s petition argues that DHS’s actions—detaining, transferring, and trying to deport O-J-M—are “arbitrary and capricious” and violate the law. The petition also points out that O-J-M was not given a chance to speak with her lawyer before being arrested, raising concerns about her right to legal representation.
This case is part of a larger trend of increased immigration enforcement at courthouses, where people with legal protections or pending asylum claims are being arrested as they appear for hearings.
Broader Context: Transgender Rights in the Immigration System
The treatment of transgender people in federal custody has been a major issue in recent years. On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning gender-affirming care for transgender people in federal prisons. This order would have stopped access to hormone therapy and other medical care for transgender inmates.
However, on June 3, 2025, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a preliminary injunction blocking this executive order, at least for now. The judge’s order applies to all people in Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria—a medical condition where a person’s gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
Currently, the Bureau of Prisons is providing hormone therapy to more than 600 inmates with gender dysphoria. Judge Lamberth’s order means that, for now, these inmates can continue to receive necessary medical care.
This legal fight over transgender rights in federal custody is happening at the same time as O-J-M’s case, showing how policy changes can affect real people in detention.
Implications for Asylum Seekers
The outcome of O-J-M’s case could set an important example for how asylum seekers, especially transgender individuals, are treated in the United States 🇺🇸. Here are some key points for people in similar situations:
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS): If you have TPS, it can stop the one-year deadline for filing an asylum application, as it counts as an “extraordinary circumstance.” For more information on TPS, visit the USCIS Temporary Protected Status page.
- Expedited Removal: The current administration is using expedited removal more often, which can lead to quick deportations even for people with pending asylum claims.
- Vulnerabilities: Transgender asylum seekers face special risks, both in their home countries and in U.S. detention centers. They may be targeted for violence or denied necessary medical care.
- Legal Rights: Having a lawyer is very important. If you are detained, you have the right to ask for legal representation and to challenge your detention in court.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes in enforcement and policy are making it harder for vulnerable groups to access protection and due process in the immigration system.
What Does This Mean for Stakeholders?
For Asylum Seekers:
This case shows the importance of legal representation and the risks of attending immigration court, even when following all legal requirements. It also highlights the need for clear rules to protect people with pending claims from sudden arrest and removal.
For Transgender Migrants:
Transgender people face extra dangers in both their home countries and in U.S. custody. Policies that limit access to medical care or allow for quick deportation can put their lives at risk.
For Immigration Lawyers and Advocates:
The case demonstrates the need for quick legal action, such as filing habeas corpus petitions, to protect clients from removal. It also shows the importance of monitoring ICE’s actions and holding the agency accountable in court.
For Federal Agencies:
The judge’s order is a reminder that ICE and DHS must follow the law and respect the rights of people in their custody. Agencies must provide clear reasons for any transfers or removals, especially in sensitive cases.
For Policymakers:
This case may influence future laws and policies about how asylum seekers are treated, especially those who are transgender or otherwise vulnerable. It could lead to new rules about courthouse arrests, legal representation, and access to medical care in detention.
Practical Guidance for Asylum Seekers and Their Supporters
- Know Your Rights: If you are an asylum seeker, you have the right to legal representation and to challenge your detention in court.
- Stay in Contact: Make sure your lawyer and family know where you are at all times. If you are moved, ask for information about your location.
- File Quickly: If you are detained, your lawyer can file a habeas corpus petition to bring your case before a judge. You can learn more about this process and find the official Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal on the USCIS website.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all court dates, communications with ICE, and any threats or violence you have faced.
- Seek Support: Reach out to advocacy groups that help LGBTQ+ migrants and asylum seekers. They can provide legal help, emotional support, and resources.
Conclusion
The federal judge’s order stopping ICE from removing a transgender asylum seeker from Oregon is a major development in U.S. immigration law and policy. It highlights the challenges faced by transgender migrants, the importance of legal representation, and the ongoing debate over how the United States 🇺🇸 treats people seeking protection from violence and persecution.
As this case moves forward, it will likely shape how courts, federal agencies, and policymakers handle similar situations in the future. For now, it serves as a reminder that the rights of asylum seekers—especially those who are most vulnerable—must be protected, even in the face of changing enforcement priorities.
For more information about asylum, expedited removal, and your rights, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Asylum page.
If you or someone you know is facing a similar situation, act quickly, seek legal help, and stay informed about your rights and options.
Learn Today
Asylum Seeker → An individual seeking protection in the U.S. due to persecution or fear of harm in their home country.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process allowing removal without a full immigration hearing under certain conditions.
Habeas Corpus → A legal petition demanding a detained person be brought before a judge to review detention legality.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency enforcing immigration laws and removals.
Temporary Protected Status → A humanitarian relief status allowing individuals to stay temporarily due to dangerous conditions in their home country.
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal judge halted ICE from removing a transgender asylum seeker in Oregon after her arrest at court. The case raises vital questions about legal rights and protections for vulnerable migrants facing expedited removal procedures under U.S. immigration enforcement policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
