Full Breakdown
Federal Judge Orders Return of Deported California DACA Recipient
3/25/2026, 1:27:09 AM
Overview of the Case
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to return Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, a 42-year-old Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, to the United States after her deportation to Mexico last month. U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins in Sacramento mandated that the government restore Estrada Juarez's DACA protections as if her removal on February 19, 2026, had never occurred.
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
Estrada Juarez's deportation followed a scheduled immigration appointment in Sacramento, which her attorney, Stacy Tolchin, argues was unlawful. The government contended that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case because the petition was filed post-deportation and claimed that the removal was a discretionary decision. However, Judge Coggins dismissed this argument, stating that Estrada Juarez's removal violated both DACA regulations and her Fifth Amendment due process rights.
Background and Context
Estrada Juarez has been protected under DACA since 2013 and has worked as a regional manager for Motel 6. She applied for legal permanent residency through her daughter, Damaris Bello, a U.S. citizen. Her deportation, occurring shortly after a green card interview, has drawn significant public attention and criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the ruling, Estrada Juarez expressed feelings of "overwhelmed relief and hope." Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that it had reinstated an expedited removal order from 1998, when Estrada Juarez was 15. However, Tolchin countered that the order lacked supervisory approval and was never finalized, thus questioning its validity.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics have raised concerns regarding the government's handling of DACA recipients, citing conflicting information provided by DHS about the number of detained and deported individuals. This case highlights broader issues surrounding the treatment of undocumented immigrants and the enforcement of immigration laws.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies regarding the validity of Estrada Juarez's original removal order. While DHS claims an immigration judge ordered her deportation in 1998, Tolchin asserts that Estrada Juarez never appeared before an immigration judge, raising questions about the legality of the order.
What's Next
Following the judge's ruling, the government has seven days to comply and facilitate Estrada Juarez's return to the U.S. This case may set a precedent for future legal challenges regarding the deportation of DACA recipients and the enforcement of immigration policies.
Verbatim Quotes
“was removed in flagrant violation of the regulatory protections afforded to her under DACA, and in violation of the Constitutional protections afforded to her under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” — Judge Dena Coggins
“overwhelmed with relief and hope” — Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez
“But her lawyer, Stacy Tolchin, said the record showed that the order lacked supervisory approval and was never finalized, so there was no valid removal order to reinstate.” — Stacy Tolchin, Attorney
