Key Takeaways
• Trump targets one million deportations yearly, tripling 2019’s record of 267,000.
• Expedited removal now applies nationwide, eliminating protections at schools and hospitals.
• Legal challenges cite due process violations and harm to families like Wendy Brito’s.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on deportations has sparked deep concern across Louisiana’s refugee and immigrant communities. This push has changed everyday life for families, like that of Wendy Brito, and has led to legal fights and struggles in communities across the state. In this article, we explore what these changes mean for real people in Louisiana, how the new policies differ from past approaches, and what legal experts and community members are saying about this shift.
How Immigration Enforcement Has Changed in Louisiana
Wendy Brito’s story gives a clear and troubling example of how the Trump team’s deportation efforts affect families. Though she is an asylum-seeker from El Salvador who has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years, her life was changed suddenly during what should have been a routine check-in with immigration officials. Without warning, she was detained and sent to an ICE facility nearly 200 miles away from her home outside New Orleans. The place she was sent—an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana—feels far from the daily life and support of her family.
Her fiancé, Kremly Marrero, a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, spoke out about the impact on their children. He explained that the kids are struggling, facing depression and emotional problems at school because they are afraid for their mother. This family’s experience is a small window into what many others are now feeling: a sense of fear, sudden loss, and uncertainty about the future.
Across Louisiana, stories like Wendy Brito’s are more common due to stronger rules and faster action on deportations. Families are being separated with almost no warning, and many people in immigrant communities are becoming more reluctant to access health care, schools, or other vital services. This reluctance, fueled by fear, can have bigger effects on health, education, and community well-being.
The Scope and Scale of the New Deportation Policy
The latest policy aims to drastically increase the number of removals. The Trump administration set a target of deporting one million people each year. That’s more than three times the highest number in recent history, which was 267,000 removals in 2019. By April 2025, the administration said about 140,000 had already been deported, but other estimates put that number closer to half, showing there’s even uncertainty about the exact impact.
The changes in how immigration rules are enforced matter just as much as the numbers. Here are some of the main tools used under the current push:
- Expanded Expedited Removal: The administration extended a rule that allows fast-track deportations not only at the border, but anywhere in the United States. This means people can be picked up and removed quickly, without the longer legal processes that were normal before. Immigrant advocates argue this is unfair and puts people at risk.
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Action at Sensitive Locations: Traditionally, schools, hospitals, and houses of worship were treated as “off limits” for immigration enforcement. The administration’s approach ended those protections. Officers can now act in places that are central to community life, creating more fear and causing some families to avoid these spaces.
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Local Police Carrying Out Immigration Laws: With the buildup of 287(g) agreements, local police officers now help enforce federal immigration rules as part of daily policing. This mix of local and federal law enforcement raises new worries about trust and safety in neighborhoods like those in Louisiana.
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Programs to Encourage Self-Deportation: Tools like the CBP Home app (previously called CBP One) are designed to make it easier for people to leave on their own by registering their intent to depart. These are combined with daily fines for people who do not meet removal orders and closer information-sharing between agencies like the IRS and ICE.
Each of these measures makes it more likely for people—especially those in tight-knit communities like those in Louisiana—to be detained and removed, even if they have been in the United States for years or decades. Brito’s experience is a pointed example, but the climate of worry is felt by many.
Legal Pushback and Rights Challenges
These policies have met with strong opposition from legal experts and organizations that protect immigrant rights. In early 2025, one major legal challenge was brought by the New York Civil Liberties Union. Their lawsuit argued that the speedy, fast-track deportation program ignores basic legal rights. They say that skipping hearings and process breaks promises built into the law and the Constitution’s due process protections.
Another controversial part of the Trump administration’s approach is the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. This law dates back more than 200 years and was not designed for modern immigration situations. For a time, its use was blocked by a federal judge. However, the Supreme Court later let the government move forward with these removals. Rights groups gave statements and filed lawsuits alleging that these moves trample on legal protections and cause harm that will last for years.
Legal experts continue to debate whether the government is following its own laws. Some believe that expanding fast-track deportations pulls away the safety net that used to help people who had lived, worked, and raised families in the United States. Others say breaking up families or moving people with little warning does more harm than good, both to individuals and communities.
What the Community Feels on the Ground
In conversations with families and community groups across Louisiana, a common feeling emerges: worry. Even those who are in the country legally or who have pending documents say they feel scared to go about their daily business. Some have pulled their kids from school or stopped seeing a doctor. Still others avoid police and other authorities, worried any contact could put them or a loved one at risk.
- Many local organizations, some faith-based, are stepping in to offer help and support. But those who work closely with immigrants say it is getting harder for people to reach out for help.
- Some residents are choosing not to report crimes for fear that the police might check immigration records. This makes neighborhoods less safe, not only for immigrants but for everyone.
- People are also worried about going to court for unrelated matters, like speeding tickets or child custody, because immigration agents have been seen near courthouses.
Supporters of stricter enforcement say these policies are necessary to make the system work and to uphold the law. They argue that if people do not follow the right process, they should not be able to remain. However, many families and community advocates say the cost—emotional, economic, and social—can be too high, especially when children and long-time residents are involved.
The Case of Wendy Brito: Personal Cost of Policy
Wendy Brito’s story has put a human face on these policy changes in Louisiana. Here’s what has happened, based on what her family and community have shared:
- She first applied for asylum in 2009. In the years since, she built a life in the United States, raising children and working to contribute.
- Her detention took place during a regular, scheduled check-in—a time when most people expect their status to be reviewed, not to be taken into custody.
- The distance from her home made it difficult for her children and fiancé, Kremly Marrero, to visit. This added to the family’s stress.
- Her children’s school reported that both children showed signs of emotional crisis. They were affected so strongly that their academic progress and mental health took a hit.
Brito’s case has prompted local leaders to raise questions about how the system now works, and whether it is giving people a fair shot.
The Broader Picture: Policies, Numbers, and Questions Raised
One of the most striking things about the current deportation push is just how different it looks on paper and in daily life. The administration talks about removing “one million” people a year—a number that would shatter previous records. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests these ambitious goals may lead to more mistakes, less oversight, and greater harm to families and communities.
The use of fast-track removals means that immigrants can be deported in a matter of days, not weeks or months. Legal groups argue that this hasty timeline does not give people enough time to gather documents, talk to lawyers, or explain complicated histories—especially for people who have lived in the United States for many years.
The end of protections for sensitive locations has also forced many groups to rethink how they deliver support. Schools, health clinics, and even churches were once places where everyone could feel safe, regardless of their background or documents. Now, the feeling is different. Some parents are too scared to take their children to class or the doctor, risking bigger problems down the road.
Legal Details for Those Affected
For Louisiana residents who are worried about these new policies, there are a few things you should know. Anyone facing removal should try to get legal advice as soon as possible. Sometimes, people qualify for forms of relief—ways to stay in the United States—depending on their history and situation.
Those dealing with ICE or needing to understand how deportation processes work can find basic information on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, which provides details on asylum, removal proceedings, and legal options.
If you want to look up these procedures for yourself or someone you know, the USCIS page on deportation and removal proceedings is a good place to start. It gives an overview of steps, rights, and possible defenses.
What Happens Next for Louisiana Immigrants?
The debate over immigration is set to continue, both inside and outside Louisiana. Some people hope the courts will be a check on policies they see as extreme or unfair. Others believe changes are needed for security and to keep order in the system. No matter the view, it’s clear the community impact is real.
As more families like Wendy Brito’s share their stories, it may shape how local leaders, courts, and voters respond to the next wave of policies. Even as legal battles play out, the day-to-day reality in places like Louisiana is one of anxiety and tough choices.
Conclusion: Lives in the Balance
The Trump administration’s enforcement policies have brought about a new and stressful time for immigrants in Louisiana. Changes to deportation rules, the loss of protections in safe places, and the use of local police in federal immigration efforts have altered daily life for many. Wendy Brito’s situation reveals just how personal and difficult these changes can be, especially for children and families.
Legal action continues, with challenges to the president’s use of old laws and to quick removals without hearings. As families cope with sudden separations and fear, groups across Louisiana are doing what they can to help. For now, the situation remains tense, and the fight over what these policies should look like in the future is far from over.
For those interested in learning more about current immigration rules and possible resources, turning to the official USCIS page on removal proceedings is a helpful step.
While there are many sides to the debate, the effects are felt most strongly by real people, right now, as families in Louisiana try to hold on to hope and safety in the face of rapid change.
Learn Today
Expedited Removal → A process allowing immigration authorities to rapidly deport certain noncitizens without a full immigration court hearing.
287(g) Agreements → Partnerships allowing local police to enforce federal immigration laws as part of their regular duties.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including detaining and deporting noncitizens.
Due Process Protections → Legal rights ensuring fair procedures, such as hearings and the opportunity to present evidence, before government actions.
Alien Enemies Act → An 18th-century U.S. law giving the president authority to detain or deport noncitizens from hostile nations during conflicts.
This Article in a Nutshell
Louisiana’s immigrant communities, like Wendy Brito’s family, now face heightened fear under Trump’s new deportation policies. Expanded expedited removal and police collaboration mean sudden detentions and family separations. Legal groups challenge the administration’s fast-track approach, but for many, day-to-day life is marked by anxiety, uncertainty, and calls for community support.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• ACLU Louisiana Slams Landry’s ‘Operation Geaux’ Immigration Push
• Louisiana Governor Joins Trump for ‘Operation GEAUX’ Crackdown
• University of Alabama Student Held by ICE Moved to Louisiana Facility
• Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil to Stay in ICE Detention in Louisiana
• Louisiana Sues Over TB Exposure by Chinese Illegal Immigrant
