On May 28th, Chicago area resident Sergio Serna Ramirez and his wife Kristina drove to Detroit for work on their small construction business. Sergio has lived in the U.S. for about 20 years. He has been waiting on approval for a U-Visa for the past 7 years and is also eligible for residency through marriage to his U.S. citizen wife.
That all changed when they missed an exit, landed in the Ambassador Bridge toll plaza, and were detained by Border Patrol. Kristina was released after three days. Sergio never walked out. He is still sitting in ICE custody three months later, despite his deferred action status that was supposed to protect him.
Here is the reality. This “wrong turn” excuse happens all the time. But let’s not sugarcoat it. The Ambassador Bridge and Blue Water Bridge have giant highway signs that say BRIDGE TO CANADA. They are not hidden. They are not tiny. They are not hard to see.
If you are paying attention when you are driving, you will probably realize you are in the fast lane to another country. And if you are in the United States illegally, that means you are also in the fast lane to deportation.
According to the ACLU and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, more than 200 people this year alone have been detained after winding up in the bridge plaza, most claiming it was an accident. ICE is not cutting anyone slack.
RAMIREZ LAWYER – HE’S PROTECTED
His immigration status is under deferred action.
“Which is essentially protection against deportation from the United States,” said attorney Andres Diaz Jr. “This is the most egregious case that I’ve ever seen.”
ICE STATEMENT ON RAMIREZ DETENTION:
“Due to privacy policies, ICE is unable to comment on the case.
“Secretary Noem is reversing Biden’s catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. This Administration is once again implementing the rule of law.
“Make no mistake, if an individual is in the United States Illegally, they are breaking federal law and committing a crime. All illegal aliens may be subject to federal immigration enforcement. ICE identifies, apprehends, detains, and removes people who are amenable to removal from the United States.”
Sergio Ramirez will be back in court next week.
BOTTOM LINE:
You miss an exit near Detroit, you do not just lose time in traffic. You could lose your freedom. Pay attention to the signs because ignorance at the wheel can land you in a detention cell, or worst off on a plane back to somewhere you probably don’t want to go.
