Seth Magaziner Questions Kristi Noem on Deportation of US Citizen Child with Cancer

Allegations of Improper Deportation

• 📌 Representative Seth Magaziner questioned DHS Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the deportation of a 4-year-old US citizen with stage 4 cancer, along with their mother and 7-year-old sibling.
• ⚠️ Magaziner presented statements from the child's attorney contradicting Noem's claim that the mother consented to the children's removal.
• 📄 The Congressman cited ICE Directive 11064, which mandates alternative care arrangements and legal counsel opportunities for minor children prior to arrest or detention.

Policy Adherence and Legal Challenges

• ❓ Magaziner pressed Noem on whether ICE agents failed to follow policy or were directed to do so by DHS leadership in this case.
• ✈️ The hearing also addressed the deportation of 261 individuals to El Salvador on March 15th, with Magaziner questioning if Noem personally approved the list and if these individuals had legal counsel or judicial hearings.
• ⚖️ Noem affirmed that the department would abide by the Supreme Court's April 7th ruling requiring detainees to have an opportunity for a hearing before deportation.

Case of Andre Hernandez Romero

• 🎤 Magaziner highlighted the case of Andre Hernandez Romero, a gay asylum seeker from Venezuela, who was deported to El Salvador despite having a credible asylum claim and no criminal record.
• 🏷️ The only justification presented by the department for his detention, according to Magaziner, was tattoos that said "mom" and "dad."
• ⚠️ Magaziner accused Noem's department of being "sloppy" and breaking laws by deporting innocent children and individuals who had not committed crimes, rather than focusing on criminals.