Original Date Announced

NBC News reports that there is "a growing pattern" of the Trump administration placing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients in removal proceedings despite court rulings upholding DACA status, including a DACA recipient who accidentally took a highway exit into Mexico. Department of Homeland Security Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin asserted that "DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country" and that "a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation."

Trump 2.0 [ID #1875]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.07.24 Reported: Detentions of DACA recipients show they're not shielded from Trump's mass deportations - NBC News

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.08.14 American Immigration Council - DACA Recipients Keep Getting Detained, Despite Protections

The American Immigration Council reports that immigration officials have detained numerous DACA recipients despite the protections DACA is meant to provide. It highlights the cases of three individuals detained by immigration officials, noting uncertainty over why these individuals were targeted and whether such incidents are isolated or reflect a broader policy shift.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.02 Habeas Petition - Catalina Santiago v. Noem

The National Immigration Project, Benoit Legal, Islas Law Firm, Novo Legal, and Singleton Schreiber filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus challenging the detention of a DACA recipient named Catalina "Xóchitl" Santiago Santiago, who was arrested at the El Paso International Airport. Santiago argues that her detention despite her DACA status deprives her of liberty without due process, is arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, was an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment, and violates DHS's own DACA and warrantless-arrest regulations. Catalina Santiago v. Noem, No. 3:25-cv-00361 (W.D. Tex.).

**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.03 Habeas Petition - Gamez Lira v. Noem

The ACLU of New Mexico and Singleton Schreiber, LLP filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus challenging the detention of a 28-year-old DACA recipient, Paulo Cesar Gamez Lira, who was arrested in his driveway in El Paso, TX. Gamez argues that his detention despite his DACA status deprives him of liberty without due process, is arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), was an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment, and violates DHS's own DACA and warrantless-arrest regulations.

Gamez is one of many DACA recipients detained by ICE in recent months. The ACLU of New Mexico reports that, since Gamez's detention, immigration officials have repeatedly encouraged him to voluntarily self-deport. Gamez Lira v. Noem, No. 1:25-cv-00855 (D.N.M.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.24 Order Granting Habeas Petition - Gamez Lira v. Noem

District Judge William Johnson granted Gamez Lira's habeas petition -- which the government did not oppose insofar as he requested release -- and ordered his release. Gamez Lira v. Noem, No. 1:25-cv-00855 (D.N.M.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.10.01 Order Granting Habeas - Catalina Santiago v. Noem

District Judge Kathleen Cardone granted Catalina Santiago's habeas petition, in part, on procedural due process grounds. The Court ordered that Santiago be released from custody no later than 4:00 pm on October 2, 2025. The order stated that "there is 'no legal basis to detain [her],' and her immediate release is warranted." Catalina Santiago v. Noem, No. 3:25-cv-00361 (W.D. Tex.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.03.10 Complaint - Estrada Juarez v. Noem

According to the Los Angeles Times, a DACA recipient who was deported to Mexico despite having active deportation protection has filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit alleges that Estrada Juarez was deported without being provided a notice of a lawful removal order and without the opportunity to present her case before an immigration judge, thus violating due process. She was detained during her green card interview after she applied for lawful permanent residency based upon an approved petition filed by her adult U.S. citizen daughter. The complaint states that Estrada Juarez received a document verifying her physical removal from the U.S., but not a removal order. Estrada Juarez v. Noem, No. 2:26-cv-00801 (E.D. Cal.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.03.23 Order Granting TRO - Estrada Juarez v. Noem

U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins granted a DACA recipient's motion for a temporary restraining order after she was abruptly detained at her green-card interview and removed to Mexico. The court found that the government removed her "in flagrant violation of the regulatory protections afforded to her under DACA" and in violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The court ordered the government to "facilitate her immediate return" to the U.S. within 7 days and restore her DACA rights and benefits. Estrada Juarez v. Noem, No. 2:26-cv-00801 (E.D. Cal.).

**Link to case here. See litigation note above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.04.18 Reported: ICE deported 174 Daca recipients through most of last year, agency head says in letter - The Guardian

The Guardian reports that Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons revealed in a letter to U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez that ICE deported 174 DACA renewal applicants from January to September 2025. A total of 270 DACA recipients were arrested during that same timeframe. Lyons cited a letter sent to U.S. Representative Robert Garcia on January 12, 2026, which also contained statistics about DACA recipients arrested, broken down by ICE’s areas of responsibility.