U.S. Citizen Deported to Mexico After Claims of Citizenship Ignored
A 25-year-old man, Brian Morales, born in Denver, found himself deported to Mexico after a traffic stop in Texas, despite informing officers he had proof of his U.S. citizenship at home.
During the encounter with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents, Morales faced a stark ultimatum: either face deportation or serve time in prison. This incident is part of a troubling pattern involving U.S. citizens and the Department of Homeland Security, particularly during the early months of the current administration.
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Reports indicate that several American children have also been deported alongside their parents, including one child undergoing cancer treatment in the U.S. This year alone, three U.S. citizens have lost their lives at the hands of federal immigration officers.
In response to Morales' claims, a DHS spokesperson asserted that Morales was not a U.S. citizen. They stated that on April 3, Border Patrol agents interviewed him after he was stopped by local law enforcement. The agents concluded he was illegally present in the U.S., based on record checks and his own admission of being a Mexican national.
“This situation exemplifies the dangers of escalating anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies,” remarked Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro. “ICE frequently disregards claims of citizenship, prioritizing removal over verification.”
Morales, who does not speak English, was taken to Mexico as a toddler by his parents but returned as an adult, legally crossing the border with his birth certificate. He was in the process of obtaining his Real ID when he was stopped by CBP while traveling with his construction crew.
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Although he informed officers he could retrieve his Social Security number and birth certificate from home, they dismissed his claims and proceeded with deportation on April 7. According to Morales, he communicated his citizenship status to three different agents, yet instead of verifying his documents, they threatened him with five years in prison for alleged fraud.
Fearful of imprisonment and separation from his daughter, Morales signed voluntary removal papers, acquiescing to what he believed the officers wanted to hear. Upon arrival in Mexico, he discovered he had been sent to an unfamiliar location. Additionally, his boss, who is also a U.S. citizen with documentation at home, was taken into ICE custody.
Rep. Castro characterized the incident as “a form of racial profiling,” emphasizing that the targeting extends beyond undocumented individuals to include any Latino, resulting in U.S. citizens being caught in the crossfire.
Political ethicist Norman Ornstein suggested on social media that legal action should be pursued against the agency and called for accountability for those who ignored Morales' documentation.
This incident unfolds as Markwayne Mullin steps into the role of Secretary of Homeland Security, following a tenure marked by controversy under his predecessor.
