Amid the growing fear within the immigrant community, a Cuban family in Houston has chosen to break the silence and speak out about what they deem an injustice: the detention of a 25-year-old by ICE agents immediately after a judge dismissed his asylum request.
The case of Oscar Sánchez is part of a pattern of arrests within immigration courts that until recently seemed like a safe haven.
"It was a very desperate, very sad moment."
Oscar Sánchez attended his hearing at the Houston immigration court as he had on previous occasions, following the legal process after having applied for asylum.
However, as he left the courtroom following the dismissal of his case, agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately detained him.
His aunt, a witness to the scene, relived the moment with helplessness and anguish.
“It was a very desperate, very sad moment,” he said in statements to Telemundo Houston.
"He kept saying 'aunt, aunt, aunt,' but I couldn't do anything," the woman added, tears in her eyes.
The young Cuban remains in custody while his family pleads for an opportunity to appeal his case.
A New Pattern of Arrests: Concern Among Lawyers
Oscar's arrest is not an isolated case. These detentions are becoming more frequent, particularly among immigrants whose cases have recently been dismissed and who have been in the United States for less than two years.
The attorney Bianca Santorini, lawyer for Sánchez, explained that these actions are directly related to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, which reinstates and expands the "expedited removal" policy.
"People who have been in the country for less than two years, even if they have fulfilled all requirements, have their cases dismissed; by the time they leave, they have no status or any application in process, and that is when they are arrested and exposed to immediate deportation," explained Santorini.
What is "expedited removal"?
The "expedited removal" policy allows for the accelerated deportation of immigrants without the need for a hearing before a judge if they have been in the country for less than two years and do not have valid status.
Although this policy has been in place for nearly three decades, its implementation has either expanded or been restricted depending on the presidential administrations.
In 2004, during the government of George W. Bush, the policy only applied to individuals detained within the first 14 days of entering and less than 100 miles from the border.
In 2019, Trump extended that period to two years, with no geographical limits.
Subsequently, President Joe Biden reversed that measure in 2022.
However, with Trump's return to the presidency in 2025, the policy has been reestablished and reinforced, once again exposing thousands of immigrants to potential deportation without a judicial hearing.
ICE justifies its actions
In response to the questions, ICE has stated that its actions are in full compliance with the law.
The agency reiterated that anyone who does not submit a valid application for credible fear may be rapidly deported.
Under this scenario, lawyers emphasize the importance of attending court hearings, but they recommend doing so with the assistance of a legal representative.
"Even if they dismiss the case, showing up gives them a minimum control over what might happen," emphasized attorney Santorini.
The immigrant community, meanwhile, is facing a new wave of uncertainty. Families that until now have relied on the immigration judicial system are being forced to reconsider their legal options and their future in the country.
A plea for justice
Oscar Sánchez's family continues to await news as they explore legal avenues to prevent his deportation. The young man's aunt insists that they only want his situation to be reconsidered.
"The only thing we ask for is a second opportunity to appear before a judge and to ensure that his case is thoroughly reviewed."
Right now, there are thousands of families in the United States going through a similar situation.
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