A 37-year-old Guatemalan gardener is facing deportation after a DUI arrest in the United States 🇺🇸, highlighting the harsh new immigration enforcement rules in place since January 2025. Under President Trump’s administration, these changes mean that even non-violent offenses like DUI can quickly lead to removal from the country, with very few options for relief.
What’s Happening Now
Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, immigration enforcement has become much stricter. The government now focuses on removing undocumented immigrants with any criminal record, including those with a DUI arrest. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been told to increase deportations, and local police are working more closely with federal immigration officers than ever before.
How the Process Works for a Guatemalan Facing Deportation After DUI
When a Guatemalan national is arrested for DUI, the process moves quickly:
- Arrest and Local Jail: After the DUI arrest, local police may suspect the person is undocumented. Many police departments now share arrest information directly with ICE.
- ICE Detainer: ICE can ask the local jail to hold the person for up to 48 hours after their scheduled release, giving ICE time to take them into custody.
- Notice to Appear: The person receives a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court. This document charges them as removable under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). You can see the official Notice to Appear (Form I-862) here.
- Expedited Removal or Court: If the person cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years, they may be deported quickly without seeing a judge. If they do go to court, their chances for relief are now very limited.
- Detention: Most people with a DUI arrest are held in ICE detention while their case is decided.
- Deportation: If ordered removed, ICE arranges for deportation to Guatemala 🇬🇹. This can happen within days or weeks, especially under the new fast-track rules.
Recent Real-Life Examples
- In February 2025, ICE arrested a Guatemalan man in Georgia after a DUI conviction. Even though his original arrest was in 2023, he was placed in removal proceedings and remains in ICE custody.
- In June 2025, another Guatemalan national in Minnesota was deported after being held on local criminal charges, showing how closely local jails now work with ICE.
Why Is This Happening?
The Trump administration’s new executive orders have changed priorities. Now, any undocumented immigrant with a criminal record—including a DUI arrest—can be targeted for deportation. ICE is using expedited removal across the country, not just near the border. This means people can be deported without a hearing if they cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for two years or more.
At the same time, important programs that once protected people from deportation, like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and TPS (Temporary Protected Status), have been ended or severely limited. Asylum is much harder to get, and the “Remain in Mexico” policy is back for new applicants.
What Does This Mean for Guatemalan Families?
- Almost No Relief: With DACA, TPS, and other protections gone, most undocumented immigrants with a DUI conviction have no way to fight deportation.
- Family Separation: Deportations are happening so quickly that families often have no time to prepare or get legal help. Many families lose their main source of income overnight.
- Health and Safety: People in detention may not get the medical care they need. Some are deported even if they have serious health problems.
Official Statements and Stakeholder Views
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) says it is committed to removing “criminal aliens” and praises local police for helping. President Trump and his team have called this a “zero tolerance” approach and say they want the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Immigrant rights groups strongly oppose these policies. They call them inhumane and are fighting them in court, but most of the new rules are still in effect. Some court cases have blocked parts of the executive orders, such as those about birthright citizenship and some asylum limits, but the main enforcement rules remain active.
Different Points of View
- Supporters of the new rules say strict enforcement keeps the country safe and discourages illegal immigration, especially by removing people with criminal records.
- Critics worry about due process, the risk of deporting people who should not be removed, and the harm done to families and communities.
What Could Happen Next?
If the courts do not stop the new rules, even tougher measures could come soon. These might include making E-Verify (an online system that checks if workers are allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸) mandatory everywhere and cutting back even more on humanitarian relief. Several executive orders are still being reviewed by the courts, and their decisions could change how the rules are enforced in the coming months.
What Can Affected People Do?
- Contact ICE: For information about a case or to report, contact the local ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office. Locations and phone numbers are listed on the official ICE website.
- Get Legal Help: Anyone facing deportation should talk to a qualified immigration lawyer or a nonprofit legal aid group. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and local immigrant rights groups can help with referrals.
- Stay Informed: For the latest updates on immigration policy, check the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE official websites.
Key Facts Table: 2025 Immigration Enforcement
| Policy/Procedure | Status as of July 2025 | Effect for Guatemalan with DUI |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited Removal | Nationwide, expanded | Fast deportation, little or no hearing |
| DACA/TPS/Relief Programs | Ended or restricted | No protection from removal |
| ICE-Local Police Cooperation | Required, expanded | More arrests after local charges |
| Asylum Access | Sharply limited | Rarely available after DUI |
| Detention | Increased, often mandatory | Most held until removal |
Conclusion and Next Steps
A Guatemalan gardener, age 37, facing deportation after a DUI arrest in 2025 is caught in a system designed for rapid removal, with almost no legal options left. Families are separated, and communities feel the impact. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current environment leaves little hope for relief, making it more important than ever for those affected to seek legal advice and stay informed about their rights and options.
Learn Today
DUI → Driving Under the Influence, a criminal offense involving impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process allowing removal without a judge if residency proof under two years.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and deportations.
Notice to Appear (NTA) → An official document charging a person with removability, initiating immigration court proceedings.
DACA → Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program offering temporary deportation protection and work permits.
This Article in a Nutshell
A 37-year-old Guatemalan gardener faces deportation after a DUI arrest amid strict 2025 immigration enforcement. New policies expedite removal, limit protections, and increase ICE-local police cooperation. Families suffer separation, and legal relief is scarce. The environment demands urgent legal aid for those affected by these harsh new rules.
— By VisaVerge.com
