Story perspectives

Judge Blocks ICE Deportation of Mexican Resident, Sparks Reform Calls

7/23/2026

Summary

Ellison Bars Deportation

Judge Keith P. Ellison barred DHS from deporting José Trinidad Rojas Pliego and ICE from moving him outside the Southern District of Texas pending the habeas petition.
Rojas Pliego, a Mexican citizen U.S. since 1998 with no criminal record, is married to a U.S. citizen.
Harris County DA Sean Teare certified Rojas Pliego and Daniel Tirado Pantoja as victims, enabling them to apply for U-visas that protect witnesses from deportation.

Summary

Coalition Demands ICE

A coalition of groups, faith leaders and businesses called for a “Day of Action” on July 24, demanding an ICE investigation and release of agents’ names.
Christian and Jewish leaders met at the Capitol on July 22 to urge Gov. Greg Abbott to address “ICE violence” in Houston.
Bonnie O’Croft of the Alliance for Just Immigration called for divestment from immigration-enforcement contracts and funds to be redirected to housing, health care and education.

Summary

ICE Mandates Bodycams

ICE will require at least one agent to wear a body camera during vehicle stops, announced Sunday.
ICE paused traffic stops after recent fatal shootings.
Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) called for a probe into ICE hiring after mental-health and violence allegations in the Maine case.
Human Rights Watch documented 52 ICE detention deaths.
The Trace’s Gun Violence Data Hub reported 13 wounded since the crackdown began.

History

Historical Context

Operation Gatekeeper, announced by Attorney General Janet Reno on September 17 1994 and launched October 1, intensified U.S. border patrol under President Clinton, adding agents and fencing that raised Imperial Beach apprehensions by 1,470 in the first week versus 1993. The crackdown spurred public opposition, and today’s ICE body-camera mandate and court blocks echo that earlier backlash.

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Ellison Bars Deportation

Judge Keith P. Ellison barred DHS from deporting José Trinidad Rojas Pliego and ICE from moving him outside the Southern District of Texas pending the habeas petition.
Rojas Pliego, a Mexican citizen U.S. since 1998 with no criminal record, is married to a U.S. citizen.
Harris County DA Sean Teare certified Rojas Pliego and Daniel Tirado Pantoja as victims, enabling them to apply for U-visas that protect witnesses from deportation.

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