US Green Card Applicants Married to US Citizens Face Uncertainty as ICE Detains Them Amid Rising Arrests
In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested dozens of spouses of American citizens who were seeking green cards in what appears to be a coordinated effort by the Trump administration. These detentions have raised concerns among attorneys and advocates for immigrants, who argue that the actions are unprecedented and unfair.
The detentions, which have been reported in cities across the country including San Diego, New York City, Cleveland, and Utah, target individuals who are eligible for green cards but have fallen out of status due to visa overstays. However, many of these individuals were previously granted exceptions by Congress, and their eligibility for green cards is based on their relationship to a U.S. citizen.
"I've seen cases where people have been in this country for 20 years, working hard, paying taxes, and then suddenly being taken away because they're 'out of status'," said Jan Joseph Bejar, an immigration attorney in San Diego who recently had a client detained. "It's like the rules have changed overnight."
Experts argue that these detentions are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target legal pathways for immigration and increase scrutiny of green card applicants. The policy changes come as many immigrants face long delays in processing their applications, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.
"This is not about enforcing immigration laws; it's about punishing people who are trying to follow the law," said Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "We're seeing a pattern of ICE agents being overly aggressive and targeting innocent people."
The detentions have also sparked concerns among advocates for immigrants, who fear that they will be used as a tool to deter others from seeking green cards.
"We're worried about people being detained because they're eligible for a green card," said Courtney Koski, a senior attorney with the Costas Law Firm in Cleveland. "It's like they're saying, 'If you try to follow the law, we'll catch you.'"
Lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to explain its actions and provide more clarity on what constitutes an "immigration law violation" that would lead to detention.
"This is a mess," said Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who has introduced legislation aimed at reforming the immigration system. "We need to make sure that we're not punishing people for trying to follow the rules."
As the situation continues to unfold, many immigrants and their families are left feeling uncertain and fearful about their futures.
"It feels like a setup," said Jeremy Lawer, whose wife was detained in Cleveland. "Like they had always been intending to arrest her that day."
In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested dozens of spouses of American citizens who were seeking green cards in what appears to be a coordinated effort by the Trump administration. These detentions have raised concerns among attorneys and advocates for immigrants, who argue that the actions are unprecedented and unfair.
The detentions, which have been reported in cities across the country including San Diego, New York City, Cleveland, and Utah, target individuals who are eligible for green cards but have fallen out of status due to visa overstays. However, many of these individuals were previously granted exceptions by Congress, and their eligibility for green cards is based on their relationship to a U.S. citizen.
"I've seen cases where people have been in this country for 20 years, working hard, paying taxes, and then suddenly being taken away because they're 'out of status'," said Jan Joseph Bejar, an immigration attorney in San Diego who recently had a client detained. "It's like the rules have changed overnight."
Experts argue that these detentions are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target legal pathways for immigration and increase scrutiny of green card applicants. The policy changes come as many immigrants face long delays in processing their applications, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.
"This is not about enforcing immigration laws; it's about punishing people who are trying to follow the law," said Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. "We're seeing a pattern of ICE agents being overly aggressive and targeting innocent people."
The detentions have also sparked concerns among advocates for immigrants, who fear that they will be used as a tool to deter others from seeking green cards.
"We're worried about people being detained because they're eligible for a green card," said Courtney Koski, a senior attorney with the Costas Law Firm in Cleveland. "It's like they're saying, 'If you try to follow the law, we'll catch you.'"
Lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to explain its actions and provide more clarity on what constitutes an "immigration law violation" that would lead to detention.
"This is a mess," said Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who has introduced legislation aimed at reforming the immigration system. "We need to make sure that we're not punishing people for trying to follow the rules."
As the situation continues to unfold, many immigrants and their families are left feeling uncertain and fearful about their futures.
"It feels like a setup," said Jeremy Lawer, whose wife was detained in Cleveland. "Like they had always been intending to arrest her that day."
its so unfair 
those people have been living here for years and working hard but now they can get arrested just because they're 'out of status' 
what if they've been paying taxes and everything? shouldn't that count for something? 
anyway i heard there was a similar thing happening with asylum seekers or something 
how does that work again? is it like, do you get deported or... 
. It's like, what's next? Detaining parents of American kids because they came to the country as refugees when they were little? 
. And what about all the people who have been living in the US for years, working hard and paying taxes? They shouldn't be treated like criminals just because they're trying to get their citizenship 
. This is SO UNFAIR! #ImmigrationReformNow #JusticeForSpouses #GreenCardProbs 
. I mean, these people have been living here for years, paying taxes and working hard, and then BAM! They're suddenly 'out of status' and facing detention. It's like they've been playing by all the rules, but somehow that's not enough anymore.
. And what even is an "immigration law violation" that would lead to detention? It sounds like a pretty subjective thing, and I'm worried that innocent people are going to get caught in the crossfire.
. We need more clarity and transparency on what's happening here, and we need it fast. Until then, I'm sure many immigrants and their families are just going to be left feeling uncertain and scared about their futures 
.
I mean, 20 years of living in the country, paying taxes, and now BAM! Detention for just being 'out of status' 
The Trump admin is making it hard for immigrants to know what's going on and how to navigate the system 
It's like they're playing with people's lives 
We need to make sure that we're not punishing people for trying to follow the rules. This is a human rights issue, not a politics game 
So, let's get to the bottom of this and find a solution that works for everyone 
. These people have already done their part by marrying a US citizen and now they're being punished for being "out of status"? It's like they're being held hostage because of a technicality. The fact that some people have been in the country for 20 years without any issues is just ridiculous 
. The fact that Rep Raskin is calling it a "mess" is just a diplomatic way of saying it 
. We should be focusing on reforming the immigration system, not punishing people for trying to follow the rules 
it makes me so anxious thinking about all these people going through this uncertainty and fear. we need to do more to support our immigrant friends and family members 
it's not fair to these people who are just trying to build a life 
ICE detaining spouses of US citizens just because they're 'out of status' doesn't sit right with me...it's like punishing people for trying to follow the rules 
but now they're being detained 
like it's no big deal 
20 years of hard work and dedication gone in an instant 
what if they were taken away from their kids? 
can't believe this is happening under the Trump admin 
gotta do something to stop these detentions ASAP 