A young college-bound man and his brother were deported on Wednesday, just days after they checked in with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
A young college-bound man and his brother were deported on Wednesday, just days after they checked in with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, reports WTOP.
WRC notes that 19-year-old Lizandro Claros-Saravia and his 22-year-old brother Diego Claros-Saravia were preparing to move from Maryland to North Carolina as the former had plans to attend Louisburg College.
Lizandro was awarded a partial scholarship, and Diego decided to go with him, get work, and help cover the remaining expenses.
The two were detained on Friday after contacting ICE and reporting the college plans. They were deported back to El Salvador on Wednesday.
The Washington Post notes that though neither had a criminal record, the two had been in the country illegally for some time. They were reportedly caught entering the U.S. on fake passports in 2009, and in 2012 were ordered to leave. Both were subsequently given a 1-year protection from deportation, but attempts to have that allowance extended were not successful.
Many have expressed disapproval of the brothers’ rapid deportation, lawmakers included.
Democratic Representative John Delaney of Maryland said, “This move doesn’t improve anyone’s life, it doesn’t make anyone safer and it doesn’t help anyone,” and noted it’s time for, “a sane immigration policy based on our national interest.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen tweeted, “We should be focused on [criminal gang] MS-13, not scholarship winners.”
