Wrongfully Deported U.S. Citizen Returns After 5 Months in Mexico
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 6
Wrongfully Deported U.S. Citizen Returns After 5 Months in Mexico
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 6
Summary
Brian José Morales García, 25, re-entered the United States on Aug. 30 after spending nearly five months in Mexico following his April 7 deportation despite a Denver birth certificate and Social Security card.
An April 3 traffic stop near Fredericksburg for an alleged window-tint violation led Texas officers to call ICE; his lawyers say agents ignored his citizenship claims, threatened him with up to 5 years in prison and coerced him into signing removal papers.
Justice Department lawyers had argued in May that Morales García said he was born in Mexico and voluntarily chose return, citing conflicting Mexican records; his attorneys said those discrepancies stemmed from a later Mexican registration.
His federal lawsuit continues even after his return, seeking damages from federal, state and local officials and highlighting a broader problem: a 2021 GAO report found ICE deported 70 potential U.S. citizens between 2015 and mid-2020.
How did a routine traffic stop for window tint lead to the wrongful deportation of a U.S. citizen for five months?
Could holding dual citizenship turn a minor driving violation into a nightmare of wrongful federal detention and international exile?
When Citizens Are Deported: The Morales García Lawsuit and the Widespread Impact of Local-ICE Partnerships
Overview
Brian José Morales García, a U.S. citizen, was wrongfully deported after a routine Texas traffic stop escalated due to local police partnerships with ICE. Despite providing evidence of his citizenship, he was removed from the country, causing severe disruption and anxiety. His legal team later presented undeniable proof, leading to his return to the U.S. while his lawsuit continues. This case highlights how federal programs like 287(g) encourage local police to enforce immigration laws, often resulting in racial profiling, database errors, and wrongful detentions. The fallout affects families, public safety, and has sparked widespread public and business backlash.