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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested the young wife of a staunch supporter of Donald Trump just as the couple was returning to the country from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
The most curious aspect of this case is that the girl's husband continues to support the president, despite the fact that she has been detained since February.
Bradley Bartell and Camila Muñoz, residents of Wisconsin, traveled for their honeymoon, but upon returning to the United States, she was detained due to an issue with her visa.
Camila, who is Peruvian, arrived in the United States in 2019 with a work and study visa. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of international flights, she exceeded the time allowed by her visa. At the time of her arrest, she was in the process of obtaining permanent residency.
Despite not having a criminal record, the agents separated her from her husband at the airport. It took him almost a week to find her in the ICE detention system.
The situation, which occurs in a context of stricter deportation policies under the Trump administration, has not caused Bartell to change his political stance.
In statements to Newsweek, he expressed: "I do not regret the vote," referring to his support for the Republican leader in last November's elections.
While the young woman is in an ICE detention center in Louisiana, he launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to cover legal fees and bail.
"We have a lawyer. The system for processing people appears to be very inefficient, which is causing delays," he said.
The couple met when she was working in the United States. They have both been saving to buy a house and start a family.
After the story became known, it received many criticisms and insults, with "many people saying that we deserve this," she revealed.
Regarding Trump, he justifies it by saying that "he didn't create the system," although he adds that he has the opportunity to improve it. "Let's hope that all this attention brings to light how flawed [the system] is."
The story of Bartell and Muñoz is just one of many that arise in the context of the immigration policy of the Trump administration, which, during its first months in office, carried out more than 28,000 deportations, according to Newsweek.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Detentions by ICE and Trump's Immigration Policies
Why was Bradley Bartell's wife detained by ICE?
Camila Muñoz was detained by ICE due to a visa issue, as she exceeded the allowed time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being in the process of obtaining permanent residency, she was arrested upon returning from her honeymoon in Puerto Rico.
What is the I-220A form and why does it raise concerns among immigrants?
The I-220A form is a "Release on Recognizance Order" that allows individuals to be released from federal custody under certain conditions. This status is not considered an official admission to the country and does not grant immigration benefits, leaving beneficiaries in a state of legal uncertainty and subject to the possibility of detention and deportation.
How has the Trump administration affected immigration policies in the U.S.?
The Trump administration has significantly tightened immigration policies, implementing measures such as expanding ICE's authority to expedite the deportation of immigrants. Benefits such as humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain groups have been eliminated, and the use of detention centers for migrant families has resumed.
What impact do ICE detentions have on migrant families?
ICE arrests can have a devastating impact on migrant families, separating family members and leaving dependents without care. Cases like that of Yolanda Magallón, arrested while caring for her daughter with cancer, illustrate how these policies can destabilize lives and create situations of great vulnerability.
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