Rubio orders deportation of relatives of 'Maria the Screamer,' symbol of the hostage crisis in Iran - El Nuevo Herald
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that Senator Marco Rubio has called for the deportation of relatives of a woman dubbed "María la gritona," a symbol tied to the recent hostage crisis in Iran.
- Elected officials can request enforcement but do not directly carry out deportations; removals are executed by federal agencies such as DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
- Affected relatives may face heightened scrutiny, possible detention, or initiation of removal proceedings, depending on immigration status and pending cases.
- Anyone who believes they or family members are targeted should consult an immigration attorney or legal aid immediately and check case status with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) or EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review).
What was reported
It has been reported that Rubio ordered the deportation of relatives of "María la gritona," a figure who has attracted attention amid the hostage crisis in Iran and related political fallout. The original coverage presents the action as a political response tied to the public profile of the hostage situation. Allegations in initial reports describe pressure on immigration authorities to prioritize these family members for removal, but those claims remain to be independently verified.
Legal authority and process
Elected lawmakers do not have the legal authority to deport individuals. Deportation — more formally, removal — is an administrative and judicial process handled by federal agencies and immigration courts. DHS and its components (ICE for enforcement, USCIS for benefits adjudication) decide whether to detain or place someone in removal proceedings; EOIR adjudicates those cases. Congressional requests or public statements can prompt agency review, but they do not substitute for charging documents, probable cause, or final removal orders.
Impact on families and next steps
For people facing potential enforcement, the immediate risks are increased case scrutiny, detention, and the initiation of removal proceedings if immigration status is not lawful. This can affect a range of people: undocumented relatives, those with expired visas, or even petitioners with pending family-based applications who face adverse discretionary decisions. If you or a family member may be affected, check your case status online with USCIS or EOIR, preserve identity and immigration documents, and seek immigration counsel or nonprofit legal help promptly. An attorney can advise on defenses (adjustment of status, asylum, cancellation, U visas) and motion/appeal options; timeframes in immigration court and appeals are often short.
Source: Original Article