U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed Thursday that it revoked Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection for El Paso resident Araceli Martínez after determining she had taken an “unauthorized” trip to Mexico in 2024. Martínez, a mother of three U.S.-born children, was removed to Ciudad Juárez early Friday morning, according to her attorneys. Under DACA rules, recipients must obtain advance parole before traveling abroad. Martínez says she believed a humanitarian travel document issued for her father’s funeral covered a subsequent emergency visit for her ailing grandmother. USCIS disagreed, citing a gap between the two trips and concluding she violated program terms. The agency’s decision highlights stricter travel-compliance enforcement since DACA’s future was thrown into doubt by ongoing litigation. For employers, the case is a reminder that DACA work authorization can disappear overnight. Companies should maintain real-time I-9 tracking and contingency staffing plans for key employees who rely on discretionary programs. Legal counsel may encourage DACA staff to consult immigration advisers before any international travel—even in emergencies—and to document timelines meticulously. Advocates argue the removal shows why Congress needs a permanent legislative fix. They also warn that inconsistent advance-parole adjudications create uncertainty that discourages legitimate business travel and family visits, exacerbating mental-health stress among DACA recipients. USCIS said affected individuals may file a motion to reopen or reconsider if new evidence emerges, but deported applicants must pursue the process from abroad, a costly and time-consuming endeavor that few can afford. Martínez’s attorneys have launched a crowd-funding campaign to finance an appeal and reunite her with her children in Texas.
Source: AP News
