Key Takeaways
• In April 2025, U.S.-born children were deported with their mothers to Honduras amid legal challenges.
• Trump administration claims children accompany deported mothers voluntarily, sparking constitutional debates.
• Estimated 66,000 children could enter foster care system due to mass deportations’ impact.
The White House is facing intense scrutiny over recent deportations involving children born in the United States 🇺🇸, as several high-profile cases have come to light in April and May 2025. These cases involve U.S.-born children—citizens by birth—who were sent to Honduras with their mothers after immigration enforcement actions. The administration, led by President Trump, has defended these deportations, while immigrant advocacy groups, legal experts, and some federal judges have raised serious concerns about the constitutionality and human impact of these actions.
What Happened: Deportation of U.S.-Born Children
In late April 2025, at least two families were deported from Louisiana to Honduras. Among those deported were three children, all born in the United States 🇺🇸, aged 2, 4, and 7. One of the most troubling cases involved a 4-year-old boy with advanced cancer who was reportedly sent to Honduras without his medication or access to medical care. These events have sparked legal challenges and widespread public outcry.
On April 25, 2025, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, who was appointed by President Trump, expressed deep concern about the deportation of a two-year-old U.S. citizen, identified in court documents as “V.M.L.” The child was born in New Orleans in 2023 and was sent to Honduras with her mother and sister after they were detained during a routine immigration check-in at the New Orleans Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Judge Doughty stated he had a “strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process.”
In another case that drew international attention, a 2-year-old Venezuelan girl, Maikelys Antonella Espinoza Bernal, was placed in foster care after both her parents were deported. Her mother was shown documents suggesting her daughter would accompany her, but the child was removed from the flight manifest at the last minute. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said this was done out of concern for the child’s “safety and welfare.”
How the White House Defends Its Actions
The Trump administration has strongly defended these deportations. Officials insist that they are not deporting U.S.-born children, but rather allowing mothers who are being deported to take their children with them. This distinction is at the heart of the administration’s defense.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” that it was the mothers, “who are illegally in this country,” who were deported, and that “the children went with their mothers.” He framed the situation as a choice: “You can say yes, of course you can take your child, whether they’re a citizen or not, because it’s your child; or you can say yes, you can go, but your child must stay behind.”
President Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, echoed this view on CBS News’ “Face The Nation.” He said, “children aren’t deported” and that “the mother chose to take the children with her.” Homan added, “When you enter the country illegally, and you know you’re here illegally, and you choose to have a U.S. citizen child, that’s on you. That’s not on this administration.”
The Department of Homeland Security released a fact check on April 29, 2025, stating: “This is false and irresponsible. In both of these cases the mothers had a final order of deportation. Rather than separate their families, ICE asked the mothers if they wanted to be removed with their children or if they wanted ICE to place the children with someone safe the parent designates. Both mothers chose to deport with their children.”
Details of the Specific Cases
The DHS fact check provided more information about two of the families involved:
- Jenny Carolina Lopez-Villela: She entered the United States 🇺🇸 illegally three times (September 2019, March 2021, and August 2021). She and her older daughter were found inadmissible and given final orders of removal in March 2020. When taken into ICE custody in April 2025, she chose to bring her younger daughter, an American citizen, with her to Honduras and presented a valid U.S. passport for the child.
- Reachel Alexas Morales-Valle: She entered the country illegally and was released in 2013. She received a final deportation order in 2015. In February 2025, she was arrested by local police in Louisiana for speeding, driving without insurance, and driving without a license. When taken into ICE custody in April 2025, she chose to bring both her American citizen children with her to Honduras and presented valid U.S. passports for each child.
Legal and Advocacy Group Response
Immigrant advocacy groups have strongly challenged the administration’s explanation. Sirine Shebaya, executive director of the National Immigration Project, called the claim that the children weren’t deported “willfully misleading.” She argued that ICE officials knew there were legal custodians and family members in the United States 🇺🇸 who were ready and willing to care for the children.
In the case of V.M.L., family attorneys filed an urgent petition demanding the child’s immediate release from ICE and a declaration that her detention was unlawful. The petition was filed under the name of Trish Mack, who was appointed as the child’s guardian. The child’s father had tried to reach the mother to discuss plans for their daughter, but ICE officials only allowed them to speak for about one minute, denying them a meaningful conversation.
The Broader Policy Context
These deportations are happening as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement actions during its second term. Since January 2025, the administration has:
- Declared a national emergency at the border
- Sent about 10,000 military personnel to the border
- Expanded expedited removal (a process for quickly deporting people without a full hearing) nationwide
- Set a goal of deporting one million immigrants each year, more than three times the previous record
- Ended or moved to end humanitarian programs like parole and Temporary Protected Status for several nationalities
- Suspended refugee admissions
- Introduced new measures to encourage voluntary departure
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these actions have led to a sharp increase in deportations and have affected many families, including those with U.S.-born children.
The Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
Adding to the controversy, President Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, called “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship.” This order tries to deny federal recognition of citizenship to children born in the United States 🇺🇸 after February 18, 2025, if their mother is undocumented or only has temporary permission to be in the country, and if the father is not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth.
A coalition of immigrants’ rights groups, including the ACLU, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and Legal Defense Fund, has challenged this order in court. They argue that it goes against the Constitution, congressional intent, and more than a century of Supreme Court decisions.
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship, meaning that anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸 is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Legal experts say that the only way to change this would be through a constitutional amendment, not an executive order.
For more information on the 14th Amendment and citizenship, readers can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official page on citizenship.
Impact on the Child Welfare System
Researchers from the Brookings Institution and the Center for Migration Studies have warned about the possible impact of mass deportations on the child welfare system. They estimate that if only 10% of children at risk of being separated from all parents actually faced this situation, and only one quarter of those did not have a relative willing to take them in, about 66,000 children would enter the foster care system. This would cost taxpayers more than $400 million each year.
This increase would add about 18% to the number of children in foster care. The Center for Migration Studies also estimated that if one-third of U.S.-born children in at-risk households lose the support of undocumented household members for the rest of their childhoods, the total lost income for these children would be over $116 billion.
What Does This Mean for U.S.-Born Children?
For children born in the United States 🇺🇸, citizenship is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. However, when these children are deported with their parents, their ability to exercise their rights as citizens becomes very difficult. Young children, especially those who depend on their parents for care, face major challenges if they want to return to the United States 🇺🇸. They may not have anyone to help them, and they may not even know about their rights.
In theory, these children can return to the United States 🇺🇸 at any time because they are citizens. In practice, though, it is not easy for a young child to travel alone or to find someone to help them return. If their parents are not allowed back into the country, the children may have to stay in another country for years, even though they have the right to live in the United States 🇺🇸.
Legal Challenges and Ongoing Court Cases
As of May 23, 2025, legal challenges to both the specific deportation cases and the broader executive order on birthright citizenship are ongoing. Judge Doughty has scheduled a hearing for May 16 to address concerns about the deportation of V.M.L. Advocacy groups and legal experts continue to fight what they see as unconstitutional and harmful policies.
The administration, meanwhile, continues to defend its actions and push forward with its broader immigration enforcement agenda. The outcome of these court cases could have a major impact on the future of birthright citizenship and the rights of U.S.-born children with undocumented parents.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Immigrant Families:
Families with mixed immigration status—where some members are citizens and others are not—face difficult choices. Parents may have to decide whether to leave their U.S.-born children behind or take them to a country the children may not know. The fear of separation and uncertainty about the future is causing stress and anxiety for many families.
For U.S.-Born Children:
These children have the right to live in the United States 🇺🇸, but their ability to do so depends on their parents’ legal status. If their parents are deported, children may lose access to education, healthcare, and other benefits they are entitled to as citizens.
For the Child Welfare System:
If more children are left behind when their parents are deported, the foster care system could become overwhelmed. This would put additional pressure on social services and could lead to worse outcomes for children.
For the Legal System:
Courts are being asked to decide whether the administration’s actions are legal and constitutional. The outcome of these cases will shape immigration policy and the rights of U.S.-born children for years to come.
What Can Affected Families Do?
- Know Your Rights: U.S.-born children are citizens, and their rights are protected by the Constitution. Families should seek legal advice if they are facing deportation.
- Designate a Guardian: If parents are at risk of deportation, they can designate a legal guardian for their children in the United States 🇺🇸. This can help ensure that children are cared for by someone they trust.
- Seek Legal Help: Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal services to immigrant families. It is important to get advice from a qualified immigration attorney.
- Stay Informed: Immigration policies can change quickly. Families should stay up to date on the latest developments by checking official government websites and trusted news sources.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The deportation of U.S.-born children with their undocumented parents has sparked a national debate about citizenship, family unity, and the limits of executive power. The White House continues to defend its actions, saying that parents are given a choice and that children are not being deported against their will. However, advocacy groups, legal experts, and some judges argue that these actions violate the Constitution and put children at risk.
As legal challenges move forward, the future of birthright citizenship and the rights of U.S.-born children remain uncertain. Families affected by these policies should seek legal advice, know their rights, and make plans to protect their children. For more information on citizenship and immigration rights, visit the USCIS citizenship page.
The outcome of these cases will have a lasting impact on immigrant families, the child welfare system, and the meaning of citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸. Policymakers, advocates, and the public will continue to watch closely as the courts decide the fate of these children and their families.
Learn Today
Deportation → The act of expelling a person from a country, often after legal proceedings or immigration violations.
Birthright Citizenship → Legal right that grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of parents’ status.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the U.S. President that manages operations of the federal government.
Expedited Removal → A fast-track process to deport individuals without a full immigration hearing under certain conditions.
Foster Care System → A government program that provides temporary homes for children who cannot live with their families.
This Article in a Nutshell
The deportation of U.S.-born children with their mothers has ignited legal and public uproar. The Trump administration defends these removals, citing parental choice, but critics warn of constitutional conflicts and the heavy toll on children and families nationwide in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com
