Advocates decry targeting of migrants as thousands of US citizens’ spouses, parents caught up in crackdown

Maria Flores experienced a nightmare when she accompanied her husband, Orlin Carrasco, to the courthouse in Tennessee to pay fees related to a traffic ticket. What was supposed to be a routine visit turned into a nightmare when Carrasco was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Carrasco, who arrived in the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor from Honduras in 2013, was taken into custody despite having no criminal convictions or removal orders. His detention has been deemed unlawful by his attorney, Alexandra Lopez, who highlighted his contributions to society and his support for his U.S. citizen family.

In a video call with his wife Maria, Carrasco expressed his frustration at being detained without a clear reason provided by ICE. Despite his pleas for answers, he has been held at a detention center in Louisiana for an extended period.

The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has led to the targeting of thousands of individuals, including those with no violent criminal history. Data from ICE shows that a significant number of individuals detained during this period had no violent felony convictions, yet they were still apprehended and faced deportation.

The impact of these detentions is far-reaching, affecting not only the individuals detained but also their families. In the first eight months of 2025, ICE apprehended parents and spouses of U.S. citizens, leading to the separation of families and the deportation of thousands of individuals.

Advocates for immigrants’ rights, such as members of American Families United, have been pushing for legislation like the Dignity Act to provide a pathway for undocumented immigrants in mixed-status families to remain in the U.S. This bipartisan bill aims to protect individuals like Carrasco and others who have been caught up in the immigration crackdown.

The stories of individuals like Carrasco and the advocacy efforts of groups like American Families United shed light on the human cost of immigration policies and the need for comprehensive reform to protect the rights of immigrants and their families. As the debate over immigration continues, it is essential to consider the impact on individuals like Carrasco and work towards solutions that uphold human dignity and respect for all. Carlos Della Valle, a non-American citizen, spent over nine months in ICE detention, being transferred to numerous facilities including the notorious “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida. During his detention, his wife Angela, a U.S. citizen, and their U.S. citizen son faced the challenges of separation and uncertainty.

“I know I’m not an American, but I feel like an American,” Carlos expressed. “I’ve lived here for so long … more than half my life.” Angela echoed his sentiments, emphasizing their deep roots in the country. “He loves his country, I love my country, and we made a life here,” she said. “And so many other families have had to suffer in silence — and I’m talking about American, white American women like myself, who haven’t had the same access, resources, and platform.”

The couple’s story sheds light on the struggles faced by mixed-status families in the immigration system. The Dignity Act, introduced by Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar and Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar, aims to address these challenges and provide relief to families like the Della Valles. The sponsors hope that the bill will gain traction in Congress and bring about much-needed reform.

“We’re doing this for those who have broken the law but have given us their lives,” Rep. Salazar emphasized. “They’re here. They are cooperating with the American economy.” Rep. Escobar also stressed the importance of the bill, stating, “It’s unfair for us to say this isn’t good enough for those people who live in hiding, who live in fear, who live with uncertainty.”

The Della Valle’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact of immigration policies and the urgent need for compassionate and comprehensive reform. Their resilience and determination to build a life in the face of adversity reflect the experiences of countless families navigating the complexities of the immigration system.