Voto Latino: As Trump Administration Expands Mass Deportations, the Risk of Americans Being Wrongfully Swept Up Grows

Washington, D.C. – Voto Latino today expressed grave concerns following the Trump administration’s admission in a court filing that an “administrative error” and “oversight” led to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran father who, despite being granted withholding of removal and a legal order from a judge to stop his deportation, was mistakenly sent to a supermax prison in El Salvador. Abrego’s wife and their 5-year-old disabled son, both U.S. citizens, were left behind in the wake of this avoidable tragedy.

“This is not just an immigrant issue—it’s an American issue. U.S. citizens, legal residents, and even military veterans are at risk of being swept up in these reckless actions. This disastrous ‘administrative error’ is a stark example of the Trump administration’s dangerous mass deportation policies, which have already torn too many families apart. The consequences are devastating—lives are shattered, families are separated, and the very rights and protections we hold dear are at risk.

While we recognize the need to modernize our immigration system, using blunt instruments like mass deportation flights is not the answer. Such policies undermine justice and turn a system designed to protect individuals into a tool for political agendas. As the administration continues to expand its mass deportation efforts, the threat of wrongful detentions and deportations only grows.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father and husband, was deported despite clear legal protections. His wife and disabled son—both U.S. citizens—are left in agony. Kilmar’s family is not alone—22 million people live in households with at least one undocumented family member. The use of heavy-handed tactics only exacerbates the pain and harm to American families. We need solutions rooted in fairness and the protection of legal rights, not fear and political agendas.”

Voto Latino is calling for a comprehensive modernization of immigration policies that prioritizes due process, ensures the protection of all Americans’ rights, and puts families first. 

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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.