The article follows the story of Vadzim Bulaty, a political asylee from Belarus, and his son Aliaksandr as they navigate the U.S. immigration system. During Aliaksandr’s first court hearing, the Department of Homeland Security unexpectedly requested his case be dismissed, leading to his immediate arrest for expedited removal. This strategy, part of ICE’s efforts to meet daily arrest quotas, aims to streamline deportation processes, bypassing normal legal avenues.

The tactic of dismissing cases and arresting migrants in court has startled judges and lawyers. The Trump administration’s approach, detailed in a May email, aims to accelerate deportations without due process. While ICE defends this as lawful enforcement, critics like Greg Chen of the American Immigration Lawyers Association denounce it as circumventing the rule of law.

This aggressive strategy has resulted in hundreds of arrests nationwide, sparking concern among immigration attorneys. The policy’s expansion to various cities indicates a broader enforcement approach. While some view this as reducing backlog and encouraging self-deportation, others argue it undermines immigrants’ rights and due process, leaving many in fear and uncertainty.

Aliaksandr’s ongoing legal battle highlights the human impact of these actions, with his lawyer fighting to reopen his case. Vadzim Bulaty’s fears of returning to dictatorship underscore the profound consequences for families caught in this immigration crackdown, emphasizing the complex challenges faced by asylum seekers and migrants in the U.S.