In a controversial move, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported 44-year-old Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath to Laos, disregarding a federal judge's order that mandated he remain in the U.S. to present his citizenship claim. Souvannarath, who was born in a Thai refugee camp and raised in the U.S., communicated with his family via WhatsApp from Laos, expressing sorrow for being separated.
His family, including young children, is heartbroken, and the ACLU has called the deportation a severe breach of the law. This situation raises questions about the authority of immigration enforcement and the rights of individuals with claims to citizenship.
