Disappeared in America:
The Faces of Trump's Immigration Dragnet
Introduction
Across the United States, families—some with legal status, others still navigating a broken system—are being detained, disappeared, or deported without warning. The stories featured on this site are not just data points or headlines. These are true stories of nearly 700 people that capture one of the darkest moments in American history.
No one should have the power to turn our government against the people. To disappear and deport children, mothers, fathers and individuals in America indiscriminately or without due process threatens all Americans.
The path forward is not cruelty. It’s not dismissing these stories as political bait. It’s reminding our elected leaders that fighting for our democracy means fighting for those disappeared in America.
A mother and her three children were seized by ICE in a pre-dawn raid near Trump’s border czar Tom Homan’s home, despite following the legal process. After ten days in a Texas detention center and a wave of community outrage, they were released—but the trauma and fear remain.
Video: ACLU
New York
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
Juan Maldonado Zuniga, a man from Waterbury, was detained by ICE despite having a pending case in New Britain court. Two other Connecticut residents — a woman from Waterbury and a man from New Haven — were also booked by ICE the following day.
Connecticut
At least eight international students at the University of Delaware, including three graduate students and five post-graduates, had their visas revoked without prior notice. Advocates say some students have already left the U.S. voluntarily to avoid deportation.
Delaware
Rui Murras, a longtime New Bedford resident with a valid green card, was detained by ICE after returning from vacation—despite living in the U.S. since age 2 and having built a stable life with his partner.
Maine
Alexi Canas, a father of eight and longtime Maryland resident, was detained by ICE after a court appearance. Despite having no criminal record and decades in the U.S., he's now facing deportation—his family says they're terrified and raising funds for legal help to bring him home.
Maryland
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to a Salvadoran prison, remains in limbo as the Trump administration refuses to comply with a Supreme Court order for his return. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, was forced into hiding with their children after DHS mistakenly published their home address online.
Maryland
Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish Ph.D. student at Tufts University, was abducted by plainclothes ICE agents in Somerville, MA after her visa was quietly revoked without notice. She is now detained in Louisiana and pursuing a legal challenge in federal court, which has ordered her transfer back to Vermont for a bail hearing.
Massachusetts
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student and new father, was denied temporary release from ICE detention to attend the birth of his first child—despite no criminal charges and repeated requests from his attorneys. His case is prompting legal challenges and national outcry over the erosion of due process and family rights.
New York
Wilson Martell-Lebron was abducted by ICE agents mid-trial in Boston and thrown into a detention center, despite no violent charges. A judge called the arrest "extraordinarily reckless."
José Antonio Garcia Garcia and Miguel Ordoñez Sorocop were targeted in a pre-dawn raid where ICE agents in military gear used a battering ram to burst into their New Bedford home. Teenagers inside watched in terror as agents stormed in without a warrant or explanation.
Manuel Ruiz, a 54-year-old Guatemalan man, was violently taken by ICE agents in broad daylight during a simple ride to court—ambushed and surrounded by agents in black jackets.
Amilcar Gomez, a Guatemalan worker, was snatched by ICE near Bob’s Tire as agents waited just outside the property to pick off laborers during their lunch break—detaining him without a warrant.
Fabian Schmidt, a 34-year-old German permanent resident of the U.S., was detained at Logan Airport and reportedly subjected to harsh treatment and pressure to surrender his green card. He collapsed in custody and was later hospitalized.
In a sweeping ICE operation kicked off by border czar Tom Homan, 370 people were detained across the Boston area—many without warrants or charges, following Homan’s vow to “bring hell” to the city. Witnesses described military-style raids that terrorized entire neighborhoods.
At least 10 immigrants were detained across Berkshire County, where masked federal agents stormed homes and job sites without warrants—snatching workers with valid work permits. Community leaders compared the operation to historical mass roundups, calling it racist, lawless, and deeply traumatizing.
Massachusetts
Juan Francisco Mendez, a Guatemalan asylum seeker, was violently detained by ICE in New Bedford while driving to a dental appointment, despite being in the process of legalizing his status and having no criminal record. Agents smashed his car window with a hammer and arrested him in front of his wife and son.
Massachusetts
Robert Panton, a 59-year-old Harlem activist and longtime mentor to youth, was detained by ICE during a routine check-in—despite having lived in the U.S. since he was 4 years old and earning praise for his rehabilitation and community service. Even the judge overseeing his case admitted keeping him detained wasn’t right, but ICE refused to release him.
New York
Turkish immigrants Cemal and Emine Emanet, known for running a local restaurant that feeds those in need, were arrested by ICE agents carrying rifles despite having lived in the U.S. since 2008 and awaiting green card decisions. Following public outcry, Emine was released on bond after two weeks of detention.
New Jersey
Karim Daoud, an Egyptian father of two who has lived in New Jersey for over 20 years, was detained by ICE last month after voluntarily visiting their Newark office to renew work authorization paperwork. Despite having no criminal record and deep ties to his community, he now faces deportation, with his family and supporters rallying for his release.
New Jersey
Merwil Gutiérrez, a 19-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker in New York, was mistakenly swept up in a Trump-era ICE raid and deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador—despite agents reportedly acknowledging he wasn't their intended target and had no criminal history.
New York
Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old Columbia University student and permanent resident, was nearly detained by ICE after participating in campus protests. A federal judge blocked her detention, citing lack of evidence and raising concerns over government retaliation against student activists.
New York
Bachir Atallah, a U.S. citizen, and his wife Jessica were detained for hours by Customs and Border Protection agents after returning from Canada, without explanation or access to their rights. The experience left them shaken, and Atallah now fears retaliation for speaking out.
Vermont
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia student and legal permanent resident, was detained by ICE while finalizing his U.S. citizenship paperwork—shackled mid-interview and accused of posing foreign policy risks due to his political speech.
Vermont
Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown professor and father of three, was detained by masked federal agents after a Ramadan celebration and accused—without evidence—of spreading dangerous political speech. Despite holding a valid visa and facing no criminal charges, he was taken from his home and transferred to a detention center in Louisiana.
Virginia
Jensy Machado, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was detained at gunpoint by ICE near his home while driving to work in Manassas, Virginia, despite offering to show proof of citizenship. The incident left him shaken and questioning his support for Trump, saying ICE agents “are just following Hispanic people.”
Virginia
Elsy Noemi Berrios, a Salvadoran mother of four, was violently arrested by ICE while driving to work with her daughter. Agents shattered her car window and took her without showing a warrant. Despite no criminal record and an active asylum case, DHS claims—without evidence—that she’s linked to MS-13.
Maryland
NY, PA, VA
Nevel Larey Heslop, a 67-year-old lawful permanent resident who had lived in the U.S. since 1984, was torn from the only country he’s called home in over 40 years.
Nascimento Blair, a Jamaican father who came to the U.S. on a temporary visa in 2004, was deported after serving time for a decades-old conviction—despite years of legal efforts to remain near his family.
Carlos Andres, a Colombian immigrant known for his joyful street singing and community spirit, was quietly detained by ICE while working a café shift—despite having no criminal record and being well-loved in his small town.
Four Brazilian workers were arrested by ICE in a Northeast Philadelphia grocery store raid, pulled from their jobs without warning. The market, known for its close-knit community and beloved Brazilian treats, now faces fear and uncertainty.
Four international students in Philadelphia were stripped of their immigration status by DHS, leaving them in legal limbo and fearing removal. One student made the heartbreaking decision to self-deport after her visa was revoked.
Two immigrant men were detained by plainclothes ICE agents inside a Charlottesville courthouse, just moments after one had his charges dismissed.
Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested after allegedly helping an undocumented man and his attorney exit her courtroom as federal immigration agents arrived to detain him. She is now facing federal charges and awaiting her next court hearing.
Wisconsin
Midwest
Abel Orozco Ortega, a 47-year-old father, was arrested by ICE while returning home with tamales for his family. Ortega, who has no criminal record, remains detained in Indiana. "All that I ask is for my husband's release," pleaded Ortega's wife, Yolanda.
Illinois
Reina Marroquin, a Guatemalan mother of two from Postville, narrowly avoided detention after being unexpectedly summoned to a check-in at the ICE office. Ignacio Jesus Flores-Garcia and Felipe, a Colombian LGBTQ activist, are now facing deportation despite active asylum cases.
Iowa
Juan Calderon, a Wichita father and 17-year resident, was detained by ICE on January 23 and now faces deportation. His partner, Beatriz , and the mother of his daughter, Tabbie, say his detention has left the family devastated and struggling to stay afloat without their sole provider.
Kansas
Ramiro Martinez, a U.S. citizen and longtime immigrant rights advocate, was mistakenly detained by ICE outside a Michigan courthouse while supporting a friend at a traffic hearing. Despite showing ID, he was surrounded and questioned, sparking local outrage.
Michigan
Jose Guadalupe Jaimes was arrested by ICE moments after dropping off his child at school, despite having lived in the U.S. for 30 years, running a business, and holding a valid work permit.
Michigan
Rosmery Alvarado, a mother of three, was detained by ICE during what was supposed to be a routine citizenship appointment. Her family says she was separated from her husband in the USCIS office and taken away in an unmarked van without explanation. She is now held hours away in detention and faces deportation to Guatemala, despite having lived in the U.S. for decades and raising a citizen family.
Missouri
Bradley Bartell, a Trump voter from Wisconsin, is speaking out after ICE detained his wife, Camila Muñoz, during their return from a honeymoon—despite her pending green card application and no criminal record. The couple had followed legal steps to adjust her status, but now find themselves separated, paying detention costs and legal fees while fighting for due process.
Wisconsin
IL, IA, KS, MI, MN
Francisco Andrade-Berrera was arrested by ICE while dropping off two students at school in Chicago, alarming families and educators as the Trump administration removes protections for arrests near sensitive locations like schools.
Four international students at the University of Iowa—two from India and two from China—are suing federal immigration authorities after their student statuses and F-1 visas were abruptly revoked.
Seven roofers were arrested by ICE while working on a project in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, raising concerns among local residents and prompting statements from city officials clarifying that local government had no role in the enforcement action.
Both parents of a local family with six children were detained in Liberal, Kansas, during a raid that also swept through Dodge City and Garden City. Immigrant advocates confirmed multiple arrests across the region, with residents in mixed-status households increasingly fearful as federal agents conducted raids without prior notice.
Ricardo Prada Vásquez, a 32-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, vanished after being arrested—his name missing from government records, with no confirmation of his whereabouts for over a month. “He has simply disappeared,” said his friend Javier.
Juan, who was brought to the U.S. as a child and helps run his family’s business in St. Paul, was arrested by ICE while stepping out of his car, even though agents were looking for someone else.
Two Honduran men were violently pulled from their van by federal agents in front of traffic. The men, on their way to work, were detained without charges. One, a father supporting his disabled daughter, remains in ICE custody. Video shows the men pleading in fear as agents from ICE, ATF, and Homeland Security forcibly dragged them from the vehicle
Indiana
One longtime worker at El Potro Mexican Restaurant in Liberty, Missouri, was deported and another—described as a 60-year-old grandmother with high blood pressure—remains in detention a month after ICE agents arrested 12 employees during a lunchtime raid. Most of the “Liberty 12” had no criminal records.
Missouri
Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong American and mother of five, was deported to Laos despite having lived in Milwaukee since she was a baby and holding legal permanent residency for decades. Now stranded in Vientiane without family, support, or needed medication, she is isolated in a country where she doesn't speak the language, while her partner in Wisconsin cares for their children alone.
Wisconsin
Doğukan Günaydın, a University of Minnesota graduate student, was detained by ICE without warning and placed in an unmarked vehicle, prompting a legal challenge asserting his right to due process was violated. His attorneys argue that the government failed to provide clear justification for the arrest or termination of his student status.
Minnesota
MT, NE, OH
Two Montana State University graduate students, including a doctoral candidate in electrical engineering and a microbiology master’s student, were granted a temporary reprieve from deportation after a federal judge ruled that the government may have violated their due process rights by revoking their student status without notice or justification.
Amid rising deportation threats, Montana tribal leaders are urging members to carry tribal ID cards and remain calm, warning against misinformation and affirming that Native Americans are protected by the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. Community leaders expressed concern that Native residents could be swept up in broad immigration enforcement actions, despite their legal status and citizenship.
Jiarong Ouyang, a Chinese doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati, is suing the Department of Homeland Security after ICE revoked his F-1 visa despite never being convicted of a crime.
Purna Bhandari, a former Bhutanese refugee legally resettled in the U.S., was deported under Trump’s immigration orders to a country that once expelled him—only to be rejected again and left stateless at the India-Bhutan border. He now hides near Nepal, separated from his U.S.-born children and denied due process.
In Fremont, Richie, a factory worker and asylum seeker from El Salvador, says even those with legal status are feeling the pressure of Trump’s expanding deportation dragnet. After many undocumented coworkers were let go, fear and resignation have settled in—Richie now carries his papers every day, unsure who might be swept up next.
Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen, was wrongfully detained in Florida under a suspended immigration law despite showing proof of his citizenship, including a birth certificate and Social Security card. He remained in jail even after charges were dismissed, held briefly on an ICE detainer until public outcry and media attention led to his release.
Georgia
South & Southeast
Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by ICE despite no history of political activism and deep community ties.
Alabama
Felipe Zapata Velásquez, a 27-year-old international student at the University of Florida, was deported to Colombia by ICE after a traffic stop, despite being in the process of renewing his student visa.
Florida
Josué Aguilar Valle, a longtime Miami resident and father of a U.S. citizen child, was detained by ICE moments after his green card application was approved, despite having no criminal record and entering the U.S. as a child fleeing gang violence in Honduras.
Florida
Lashar Smith, a Bahamian woman living in Florida for over a decade, was detained by ICE at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Despite having no criminal record, she was arrested for overstaying her visa and transferred to a detention center, leaving her family scrambling to secure legal help.
Florida
Adrian Garcia-Zaragoza, a father of three and Kentucky resident for two decades, was detained by ICE over an old traffic-related charge, leaving his children scrambling to afford legal help and fearing they’ll lose the person who holds their family together.
Kentucky
Jose Francisco Garcia Rodriguez, a 73-year-old Cuban-American grandfather who has lived in the U.S. for 45 years, was arrested by ICE near his home in Lafayette, Louisiana, while on his way to work. His family says he has long complied with government requests and now fears for his safety and well-being if deported back to Cuba.
Louisiana
The Ali family, longtime residents of Louisiana, were abruptly deported to Honduras after ICE used a deceptive ruse, telling them they were attending a court hearing. Stephanie, her mother Claudia, and her brother Jason were escorted to a plane and removed within 36 hours—despite a pending stay request and 14 years building a life in the U.S., leaving behind their community, Stephanie’s doctors, and the grave of her late father.
Louisiana
AK, FL, LA, MS, NC
Brian’s father and uncle, both undocumented landscapers, were arrested by ICE agents outside their home as they left for work. The family, including six U.S. citizen children, was left reeling as the men were taken to a detention facility in Fayetteville and told they’d be transferred to Louisiana.
At least 18 Cuban immigrants were detained by ICE in Miramar, Florida, during routine immigration check-ins—despite having no criminal records and pending legal processes. The arrests mark a shift in enforcement tactics, alarming many who previously believed they were not prioritized for removal.Seven roofers were arrested by ICE while working on a project in Duluth’s Lakgovernment had no role in the enforcement action.
Five people in Charlotte were detained by ICE during a targeted operation, swept up while simply going about their lives.
Ataulfo, a Guatemalan immigrant and former landscaping worker, chose to self-deport earlier this year, returning to a life of poverty he had fled six years ago. Though he was never arrested, he said he could no longer live under the daily fear of detention. “You walk around with a kind of fear that, from one moment to the next, they could catch you."
Eleven workers from Mexico, Nicaragua, and Ecuador were arrested by ICE during a worksite enforcement operation at the Port of Lake Charles in Louisiana. The individuals, contracted for a construction project, were taken into custody for lacking permanent legal status, as federal agents widen arrests at job sites across the South.
Sixteen immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras were arrested during a worksite raid at a Pass Christian construction company, one of many recent arrests across South Mississippi targeting people simply working, commuting, or living their daily lives.
Alessandro Paredes, a 19-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker, was nearly deported to El Salvador under Trump’s Alien Enemies Act order before the Supreme Court intervened; he says ICE forced him to sign a false gang affiliation and has denied him basic due process. His mother insists he is not a gang member, pleading for his return to Venezuela—not a country he has never known.
Texas
Sergio Carlos Gomez and Kevin Zaldana Ramirez, two Houston residents with legal authorization to live and work in the U.S., were detained by ICE in recent weeks—despite having valid documentation, including DACA status and work permits. Their stories have left families terrified and advocates outraged, warning that even those following every rule are no longer safe under a system that appears increasingly arbitrary and cruel.
Texas
Erik Payán, a tire shop owner and family man in Colony Ridge, was arrested during a sweeping ICE and state police operation despite no active charges and a decades-old dismissed case. His wife, Alejandrina Morales, now caring for a hospitalized daughter and a granddaughter with a heart condition, says the family’s life has been shattered—"they took our provider, our joy, without cause."
Texas
Jesus Ramos, a lawful permanent resident and father of seven in Lewisville, was detained by ICE while driving to work, despite holding legal status and fulfilling his court-ordered obligations. His wife, Mary, now caring for their terminally ill daughter alone, said through tears, “We feel hopeless—but I have to move forward for my family.”
Texas
GA, NC, TN, TX
Two Duke graduate students and one recent alumnus on work authorization had their visas revoked by the federal government, cutting off their ability to study or work in the U.S. Their records were removed from the immigration tracking system used by ICE.
A Colombian Division I athlete at Kennesaw State University and a Georgia Tech senior just days from graduation are among 17 international students suing ICE after their student statuses were abruptly revoked without charges or convictions.
Elver Rodriguez Melo, a Colombian man seeking asylum, was arrested by ICE without warning during a routine check-in at the Knoxville office, despite having no criminal charges and a scheduled court date.
Jonathan, an Australian man with a valid U.S. work visa, was detained and deported after returning from his sister’s memorial. He says border agents accused him of drug activity without evidence, canceled his visa, and barred him from reentry for five years, leaving him stranded and separated from his life and partner in the U.S.
Twenty longtime Houston-area residents were arrested during an I-9 audit at a warehouse in Spring, Texas, despite some having lived in the U.S. for decades. Families were left stunned and heartbroken, with one person describing how their father—after 14 years of work at the same company—was taken without warning as ICE ramped up enforcement efforts under new directives.
Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist and asylum seeker from Venezuela, was deported by the Trump administration to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. He was removed based largely on misinterpreted tattoos and old social media posts.
Andry was last seen in distress at CECOT prison, pleading, "I'm not a gang member. I'm gay. I'm a stylist."
California
West & Southwest
Alonzo Zavala Barajas, a 23-year-old Arizona native, says ICE agents arrested his father—an undocumented construction worker of 24 years—outside their Gilbert home as he left for work. “They took a part of me. Just stripped away,” Barajas said, describing the early morning encounter.
Arizona
Wilfredo Rivero, a 24-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker, was detained by ICE in Sacramento while trying to update his address, despite having a pending court date and no criminal record. His fiancée has had no contact with him for over a week, and his family is left searching for answers.
California
Enrique, a father of four and longtime Nevada resident, was detained by ICE while sitting in his car with his five-year-old daughter. His wife Kimberly, a U.S. citizen, says agents pulled him out without letting him speak. Now held at the Southern Nevada Detention Center, Enrique’s arrest has left the blended family reeling and fighting to reunite.
Nevada
Jorge Reinaldo Molleda, a 22-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker and community advocate in Portland, was detained by ICE after being lured into a check-in under false pretenses. He now fears deportation to El Salvador’s mega-prison, despite no criminal record and deep ties to the local immigrant rights community.
Oregon
Lewelyn Dixon, a longtime UW Medical Center lab technician and SEIU 925 member, was detained by ICE on Feb. 28 while returning from a family visit to the Philippines. A green card holder who has lived in the U.S. for 50 years, Dixon is currently being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma.
Washington
Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old British tourist, was detained by ICE in Tacoma after trying to leave the U.S. for Canada. Though she had a return ticket and no criminal record, she was held for 19 days in a detention center before being deported.
Washington
Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez, a beloved farmworker organizer and founding member of Familias Unidas Por La Justicia, was violently detained by ICE in Washington while driving his wife to work. Despite requesting to see a warrant and complying with officers, agents shattered his car window and arrested him—sparking outrage across the labor and immigrant rights movements.
Washington
Julia, a Peruvian asylum seeker in Sunnyside, WA, now lives in fear after ICE deported a nearby couple with pending cases, despite their legal right to stay—sending shockwaves through her once-close immigrant community.
Washington
Alberto Lovo Rojas, a Nicaraguan asylum seeker and father of three, was arrested by ICE in Spokane, Washington, despite years of legal check-ins and a valid work permit. He now faces deportation to the country he fled amid political violence—leaving behind a newborn, a community rallying to keep him home, and a family praying for his return.
Washington
A longtime Pasco mechanic and father of three was arrested by ICE one block from his home while driving to work, despite having no violent record and actively working to secure legal status. Detained since February 23, his family says, “He’s the most hardworking man I know."
Washington
Micaela Eudave, a beloved mother and food truck owner in Othello, was detained by ICE on her way to work, leaving her 18-year-old son to run the family’s business alone. “My mom’s never done anything wrong,” said Raul Gomez-Eudave, who now juggles high school and managing Tacos Michoacan. “She’s my best friend. We’ve always had each other’s backs.”
Washington
AK, AZ, CA, CO
Roble Ahmed Salad, a 27-year-old Somali asylum seeker, was detained by ICE in Anchorage despite applying for Temporary Protected Status. After building a life in Alaska and checking in as required, he was swept up and held until a judge intervened, recognizing the risk of deporting him mid-application.
A Venezuelan man who legally entered the U.S. through the CBP One App and was living in Arizona under active humanitarian parole was arrested by ICE agents while waiting for a delivery order in a Walmart parking lot. “He was working so hard to be the support for us,” his wife said, now left to care for their two young children alone. “It’s hard for me, and I just want him to be back with us.”
A 52-year-old Chinese woman died by suicide while in U.S. Border Patrol custody after being detained for overstaying her visa. She was held at the Yuma, Arizona station, where officials reportedly failed to conduct required welfare checks.
Los Angeles Unified School District students, including five elementary-aged children, were the target of a DHS attempt to access school campuses without a judicial warrant, sparking fear among immigrant families. School officials refused entry and accused agents of lying about parental consent.
An unnamed immigrant was detained by ICE at the Sonoma County Probation Department while complying with a court-ordered appointment, sparking outcry from local advocates. “This is an unfair punishment that someone who was born in the United States wouldn’t have to face,” said Bernice Espinoza, an attorney with Sonoma Immigrant Services.
Two Venezuelan men detained by ICE were granted a temporary reprieve by a federal judge, who barred their deportation amid concerns they could be wrongly sent to a Salvadoran prison notorious for abuse. Despite fleeing gang violence and having no ties to Tren de Aragua, they were accused based on tattoos like a Monopoly character and their presence at a party.
Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez, who lived in the U.S. for 35 years and raised three American daughters, were arrested during a routine check-in and deported to Colombia. Despite decades of community service, no criminal record, and an open order of supervision, they were separated, detained, and expelled without a chance to say goodbye to family.
California
Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old permanent resident, was twice detained by U.S. Customs after returning from travel abroad, despite decades-old convictions that had been expunged. She is currently in federal custody and awaiting an immigration hearing.
California
Jessica Brösche, a 26-year-old German tourist, has been detained since January 25 after being pulled aside at the San Ysidro Port of Entry despite having valid travel documents; friends say she was held in solitary confinement for nine days and remains in ICE custody without clear explanation. “She says it was like a horror movie,” her friend Amelia Lofving recounted.
California
Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian entrepreneur and co-founder of the Holy! Water brand, was detained by ICE after attempting to re-enter the U.S. at the San Ysidro border to process a new work visa. Despite having legal paperwork and a return flight, she was held in harsh conditions, transferred to Arizona, and remains in detention with no clear release timeline.
California
Yolanda, a 50-year-old undocumented mother in El Monte, was detained by ICE outside her home as she tearfully pleaded, “But they're going to take me away.” Her daughter Xitlali, a U.S. citizen battling bone cancer, said, “When I'm taking chemo... she bathes me, she changes me, she makes my food.” Now separated from her primary caregiver and brother, Xitlali is left to fight for their release.
California
Jeanette Vizguerra, a long-time Colorado resident and immigrant rights activist, was arrested by ICE at her workplace despite having lived in the U.S. since 1997 and being a mother of four U.S. citizen children. Her attorney said ICE is attempting to deport her under an invalid order, adding, “If ICE proceeds… it sends a chilling message about the agency’s disregard for due process and the rule of law.”
Colorado
Forty-eight immigrants arrested in ICE raids across Santa Fe, Roswell, and Albuquerque are unaccounted for, according to the ACLU of New Mexico, which says families and advocates have no information about their identities, locations, or legal status. “We don’t know if they’ve already been deported,” said senior staff attorney Rebecca Sheff, calling the situation “effectively disappearances” and warning it mirrors tactics seen in authoritarian regimes.
New Mexico
An Ogden man was arrested by ICE in a courtroom moments after resolving a misdemeanor case, despite the judge expressing sorrow and saying the decision was out of his hands. The incident has sparked fear among local immigrants now afraid to attend court.
Utah
Three relatives of a roofing worker in Bellingham, Washington were among dozens arrested by ICE in a militarized workplace raid at Mount Baker Roofing. The men, who had no criminal charges and were longtime employees, were taken into custody—leaving their families devastated and a community shaken.
Washington
Five Mexican men were arrested in Athol, Idaho after deputies flagged their parked vehicle as connected to a prior deportation. The men, who had briefly entered a grocery store, were detained by law enforcement and turned over to Border Patrol. No criminal charges were reported.
Idaho
CO, HI,
Luis Leonardo Finol Marquez, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, was detained by ICE in Aurora, Colorado just as his wife was giving birth to their son. He was deported days later—separated from his family and allegedly coerced into signing a false confession under pressure. His wife, now caring for their three young children alone in Lakewood, fears she could be deported next and is considering leaving the U.S.
Maria Lepère and Charlotte Pohl, two German teens on a post-graduation world tour, were detained and deported from Hawaii after arriving without a hotel reservation—despite valid travel documents—underscoring the Trump administration’s aggressive stance toward even low-risk travelers.
A local farmer was wrongfully detained by ICE and now faces possible deportation, prompting the agency to issue a rare letter admitting it had made a mistake and expressing that it “deeply regrets” the error.
Deicy Aldana’s husband and father-in-law were taken by ICE during a pre-dawn raid at their Aurora apartment, despite both having legal work permits and pending paperwork to stay in the U.S. Her husband later messaged her from detention, telling her he was being deported and urging her to sell their belongings and return to Colombia with their children.
Fernando Martinez, a Denver resident, was jolted awake when ICE agents burst into the apartment he was sleeping in, deploying flash-bang grenades and detaining multiple residents. Although Martinez wasn’t arrested, he described the raid as chaotic and terrifying: “They flash-banged me like three times,” he said, noting agents had guns drawn and never showed a warrant.
A young boy was pulled from Konawaena Elementary School by a school officer to be reunited with his detained father during an ICE operation targeting undocumented families, drawing criticism from Governor Josh Green, who said, “Scaring kids is the ultimate worst thing we can do.”
POLLING
A majority of Americans now disapprove of Trump’s immigration agenda.
Six in ten oppose deporting immigrants to a foreign nation without due process.
By a nearly 2 to 1 margin, Americans want those wrongfully deported brought home.
CONCLUSION
Immigrants embody the best of America. Yet today, they are being targeted, detained, and disappeared in plain sight. If we stay silent, we risk far more than the lives of those being taken—we risk letting authoritarianism take root in our democracy.
The stories you’ve read here are painful—but they are not hopeless. We must continue pushing our leaders to act before more lives are shattered and more of our democracy is lost.
Disappeared in America is a joint partnership between Immigration Hub and Together & Free. The site builds upon an existing collaboration with National Immigration Project.
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