ACLU Sues Federal Government for Denying Father's Right to Challenge Immigration Detention

Strategic Insights -

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan has filed a federal lawsuit demanding that Juan Manuel Lopez-Campos, a long-time Detroit resident and father of five U.S. citizens, be granted a bond hearing to challenge his immigration detention. Lopez-Campos has been in custody since June 25, after being stopped for an alleged traffic violation, despite having lived in the U.S. for 26 years, having no criminal record, and strong ties to his community and church.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ACLU of Michigan filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and other defendants, demanding that Lopez-Campos be given a bond hearing to challenge his immigration detention.
  • Lopez-Campos has been in custody for over two months, despite having lived in the U.S. for 26 years, having no criminal record, and strong ties to his community and church.
  • The lawsuit asserts that the Trump administration's policy, issued on July 8, illegally denies Lopez-Campos his right to a bond hearing, reversing decades of government policy and practice.
  • The ACLU is seeking a judicial writ ordering Lopez-Campos' immediate release from custody or providing him with a bond hearing within 7 days.
  • Lopez-Campos' case is one of thousands of people with strong ties to their families and communities who remain wrongfully locked up due to the new policy.
  • Ramis J. Wadood, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan, stated that the government's actions are "clearly illegal" and "cruel" to Lopez-Campos and his loved ones.
  • Shahad Atiya, Lopez-Campos' immigration lawyer and a cooperating attorney with the ACLU, maintained that DHS is "stepping outside of the bounds of its legal authority" and that the ACLU must work together to defend the Constitution and get Lopez-Campos home to his family.

Statistics:

  • 26 years: The amount of time Lopez-Campos has lived in the U.S.
  • 0: Lopez-Campos' criminal record
  • 5: The number of U.S. citizen children Lopez-Campos has
  • 2 months: The amount of time Lopez-Campos has been in custody
  • July 8: The date the Trump administration's policy was issued, which denies people like Lopez-Campos their right to a bond hearing
  • 7 days: The alternative period for which the ACLU is seeking a bond hearing

Sources:

  • American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan (aclumich.org)
  • Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (aclumich.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/001_petition_for_writ_of_habeas_corpus.pdf)
  • Video statement by Ramis Wadood (aclumich-my.sharepoint.com)