Deportation Leaves Deaf Boy in Hiding After ICE Denies Hearing Aids
A six-year-old boy, Joseph, who is deaf, now finds himself in hiding in Colombia with his mother and younger brother after being deported from the United States. This drastic action followed the denial of his hearing aids by officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a legal representative.
Joseph's family fled their home country four years ago due to severe domestic violence. His mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez, sought safety for her children, particularly for Joseph, who requires specialized healthcare and education that is unavailable in Colombia.
“The violence she faced, coupled with the urgent need for medical support for Joseph, compelled her to escape,” stated Nikolas De Bremaeker, an attorney with Centro Legal de la Raza. He emphasized the dire situation the family now faces in their home country.
Earlier this week, during a routine check-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in San Francisco, Gutierrez and her children were detained. They had been residing in Hayward, California, as asylum seekers since their arrival in the U.S.
“Ms. Rodriguez Gutierrez was coerced into signing documents she did not understand, without legal counsel present,” De Bremaeker explained. “At no point did ICE clarify the situation to her.” The family was swiftly taken into custody, with agents taking their photos and fingerprints before forcing them into a vehicle bound for a distant detention facility.
While at the ICE center, a relative waited outside with Joseph’s hearing aids—critical tools for his communication. Gutierrez pleaded with agents to allow them to retrieve these devices, but her requests were ignored.
“Denying Joseph access to his necessary assistive devices is not only shocking but also a violation of multiple laws and constitutional rights,” De Bremaeker asserted. Currently, neither Joseph nor his four-year-old brother is enrolled in school in Colombia.
De Bremaeker also noted that he faced challenges locating the family for two days before discovering them at a detention center in Arizona prior to their deportation. The traumatic experience has left all three family members deeply affected.
During a press conference, De Bremaeker criticized the DHS for transferring children between facilities unsuitable for minors, particularly those with disabilities. “These places are not designed for children; it’s inhumane and illegal,” he stated emphatically.
Joseph previously attended the California School for the Deaf in Fremont for three years. California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond expressed his outrage over the situation, calling for Joseph's return to California.
“It’s deeply disturbing that a child was deported without access to essential medical devices,” Thurmond remarked. “This cruelty must cease immediately.”
Thurmond further emphasized that no child should be forcibly removed from their community and subjected to such conditions, especially one who cannot communicate effectively. He urged federal authorities to facilitate Joseph's return to his educational environment.
The DHS has been contacted for comments regarding the family's current situation in Colombia. A spokesperson previously countered De Bremaeker’s claims about due process, asserting that Gutierrez received a final order of removal from an immigration judge.
“ICE does not separate families; parents can choose to be removed with their children or designate a safe person for them,” the spokesperson stated. “Gutierrez opted to leave with her children.”
In response to these assertions, De Bremaeker condemned the DHS’s statements as misleading and alarming. He called on Congress to investigate these alleged abuses and ensure that Joseph is allowed to return to his school and community in California.
