MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An undocumented transgender lady detained by immigration officers final week is being held at a male-only detention facility in South Florida after being transferred from Maryland, sparking criticism from her lawyer and LGBTQ+ advocates.
Authorities mentioned April Amaya-Luis, 43, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Feb. 4 after a probation assembly in Baltimore. She was held there for eight days earlier than being transferred to the Krome Detention Heart close to Homestead, greater than 1,000 miles from her house.
“For April to get despatched on to Florida is one thing we’ve by no means seen earlier than,” mentioned Rachel Girod, Amaya-Luis’ lawyer.
Amaya-Luis, a longtime enterprise proprietor within the U.S., pleaded responsible in January to a easy assault cost, which Girod described as “an offensive touching in opposition to an grownup.” She has by no means been convicted of a violent crime, the lawyer mentioned.
Girod additionally accused ICE of shifting Amaya-Luis simply hours earlier than a Baltimore immigration choose was set to evaluation her custody standing.
“Hours earlier than a Baltimore immigration choose was to evaluation her custody standing, ICE transferred her nearly as distant as they may,” Girod mentioned.
It stays unclear why Amaya-Luis was despatched to Florida.
Girod famous that Maryland doesn’t have ICE detention contracts, which means detainees are sometimes despatched to a lot nearer amenities in Virginia or Pennsylvania. She believes Amaya-Luis’ standing as a transgender lady performed a job within the choice.
Compounding issues, the White Home lately revealed a flyer alleging Amaya-Luis was convicted of a sexual offense involving a minor — an accusation her lawyer vehemently denies.
“My consumer has by no means been accused of a criminal offense in opposition to a toddler, a lot much less one sexual in nature,” Girod mentioned.
The flyer additionally used Amaya-Luis’ deadname, additional fueling criticism from LGBTQ+ rights advocates who argue that ICE’s dealing with of transgender detainees has been inhumane.
“For her personal safety, she knew she wanted to request protecting custody,” Girod mentioned.
The case has drawn nationwide consideration, with authorized consultants noting the intersection of immigration enforcement and gender identification insurance policies.
“Government orders have targeted on immigration enforcement and gender identification. This case is a whirlwind of the 2,” Girod mentioned. “It’s not as sensationalized as it’s handy.”
Information present Amaya-Luis is scheduled to seem earlier than a Miami immigration choose on Feb. 26.
Within the meantime, her husband has launched a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist “deliver April house.” Click here if you need to contribute.
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