Judge orders release of migrant trans woman held in male section of ICE facility
U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio, a President Joe Biden appointee, ordered the migrant released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, ruling that the asylum seeker had been deprived of liberty without proper procedural safeguards.
The migrant, a 24-year-old transgender woman identified as "O-J-M" in court documents, was arrested outside a Portland courtroom last month and transferred to the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington.
The nonprofit Innovation Law Lab, whose attorneys represent O-J-M, welcomed the move and decried the fact O-J-M was being held at a man's facility.
"President Trump's anti-transgender executive order forced her into a men's facility, and into solitary confinement for her own safety, adding layers of cruelty to an already unconstitutional detention," a social media post by Innovation Law Lab reads.
"OJM was detained for over a month simply for legally seeking asylum. Seeking asylum is lawful, and a human right. This is a huge victory for our trans and immigrant communities in Oregon."
O-J-M's attorneys said O-J-M was abducted and raped in Mexico because of gender identity and sexual orientation and was seeking asylum on those grounds.
O-J-M was arrested in Portland's immigration court in early June after a judge granted the government's request to dismiss the asylum case. O-J-M was then transferred to an ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington and held there for over 40 days.
But O-J-M's attorneys filed a habeas petition, a legal motion asking the court to review whether the detention was lawful, saying they were not aware of their client's location after O-J-M was taken into custody.
Under due process standards, especially in asylum cases, attorneys must be able to locate their client and ICE is required to notify or justify sudden detentions and transfers.
In O-J-M's case, the judge found that ICE's failure to provide timely, specific information about the migrant's location and legal status violated fundamental procedural fairness. The judge had also demanded to know why it was deemed immediately necessary.
One of the migrant's attorneys, Stephen Manning, of Immigrant Law Group, previously told OPB that O-J-M was processed into the Tacoma detention center, but he had not been granted access to her since her transfer.
"They threatened to kill her because O-J-M is a transgender woman," her habeas petition states, per OPB. "Fearing for her life, she fled and sought asylum in the United States in September 2023."
Manning told Willamette Weekly that his client had not committed a crime while in the U.S. O-J-M has regularly checked in at ICE offices as instructed.
Oregon sanctuary laws prevent it from having long-term immigration detention facilities, and — aside from temporary holding cells at the Portland ICE office — the nearest immigration detention center is the Tacoma facility.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Higher U.S. tariffs will extend uncertainty for businesses, experts say
President Trump's executive order hiking tariffs on U.S. imports could drive up consumer prices and prolong uncertainty for millions of businesses, trade experts said. Materials issued by the White House on Thursday outline new tariff rates for dozens of countries, but details remain scant on how to implement the trade agreements, said Barry Appleton, co-director of the New York Law School Center for International Law. "The last thing businesses want to have are unanswered questions. They were looking for certainty, and what we have instead is a gigantic Rubik's Cube," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "Everyone has been waiting for 'Liberation Day' to be finished," he added, referring to the country-based tariff announcements Mr. Trump first made in early April. "Instead, with this announcement, we have another perpetuation of what's going on." Under the Trump administration's new import duties, most countries will face a baseline tariff of at least 15%, although other nations will faces levies of more than 40%. The U.S. effective tariff rate is now 17%, according to Fitch Ratings — the highest in decades. That could mean pricier garments from Vietnam, shoes and toys from China, chocolate from Switzerland, and coffee from Brazil, according to economists. As a result, the revised U.S. tariffs could cost Americans an average of $2,048 per year, according to a new analysis from the National Taxpayers Union, a nonpartisan advocacy organization. Mr. Trump has argued his tariff strategy is necessary to correct what he views as unfair trading practices and revive American manufacturing, and points to still-fairly-low inflation rates. But many economists warn tariffs can lead to higher inflation and more sluggish economic growth, and some of the president's early trade moves rattled financial markets. The White House has said that Mr. Trump's trade policies benefit Americans. "President Trump's trade deals have unlocked unprecedented market access for American exports to economies that in total are worth over $32 trillion with 1.2 billion people," White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. "As these historic trade deals and the Administration's pro-growth domestic agenda of deregulation and The One Big Beautiful Bill's tax cuts take effect, American businesses and families alike have the certainty that the best is yet to come." On social media, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the tariffs are "a knockout win over the distorted global trading order that has disadvantaged American workers, farmers, and manufacturers for decades." He added that Trump's foreign trade policy has achieved "expansive new market access for U.S. exporters, increased tariffs to defend critical industries, and trillions of new manufacturing investments that will create great American jobs." Which products could get pricier? In the U.S., the products most commonly imported from abroad — and therefore most likely to see their prices rise because of sharply higher tariffs — include household appliances, furniture, cars, clothing, sports equipment, toys and cleaning products, according to an analysis from Oxford Economics. The price of such goods rose about 1% in June, or more than double the increase in May, according to the investment research firm's analysis of consumption data, a sign that tariffs are starting to seep into the cost of everyday items. "The question is really what's not going to go up in price. The costs were being eaten in the profits of companies, but that's not sustainable," Appleton said. Mr. Trump slapped some of the highest tariffs on key trade partners like Canada, a major provider of lumber to U.S. companies. That could lead to higher housing costs, according to Oxford. Some fruits and vegetables also could get pricier this winter as grocery stores leans on imports to stock store shelves, he said. U.S. automakers including Ford, GM and Stellantis have recently warned that higher U.S. tariffs will reduce their profits by billion of dollars. That is likely to increase new car prices, said Terence Lau, dean of the Syracuse University College of Law and formerly a government affairs executive at Ford. "My advice to consumers back in April was that they should wait to buy cars," said Lau, who expects dealer prices for 2026 models to rise between 4% and 6%. "In August, my advice is to buy now." Although many businesses are still selling inventory they imported earlier this year in a bid to avoid higher tariffs, subsequent imports will likely be subject to the newly announced levies when they arrive at U.S. ports, according to trade experts. "A lot of businesses front-loaded goods to get them in the door before tariffs were announced. They'll now have to increase their costs as inventories dwindle and businesses start replenishing them," Oxford Economics' senior U.S. economist Matthew Martin told CBS MoneyWatch. "We expect cost hikes to peak in the second half of the year," Along with facing potentially higher prices, U.S. consumers could face reduced product choices stemming from supply-chain delays, according to economists. That's largely because companies unable to reshore manufacturing to the U.S. are likely to stop importing low-margin goods as they move to control costs. "In many cases, tariffs will be so high that we'll create embargoes," Martin said. "That will make it more difficult for retailers and distributors to get things out to market." Rodney Manzo, a supply-chain expert and senior director at Sage, a business management software company, said higher tariffs often end up affecting businesses and consumers in ways beyond the cash register. "For the average shopper, the effects don't always show up as a big price hike on the shelf. Instead, it's subtler — fewer options, smaller quantities and less generous promotions," he said. "Companies are quietly reducing [their stockpiles], reworking product specs or stripping out expensive components to hit margin targets." Arkansas officials reveal new details about Devil's Den murders of husband and wife The A.I. Divide | America Unfiltered Defense attorneys refuse new cases in Massachusetts, citing unfair pay Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Motor 1
27 minutes ago
- Motor 1
‘My Car Got Airtagged:' Woman Goes to Police After Being Warned Her Car Is Being Tracked. What Should You Do if This Happens?
A woman on TikTok claims her car was AirTagged—and says that neither the police nor staff at the location where it happened were very helpful. Savannah Phillips (@thatsavchick) said she was at a golf course when she discovered the AirTag, though she hasn't shared exactly how she was alerted to it. As of this writing, her initial video about the incident has gathered over 2.6 million views. She has not yet posted a follow-up confirming whether the device was ever located. Police Couldn't Find the AirTag. The Golf Course Didn't Help Either In her video, Phillips included footage of two officers helping her search around her car and trunk for the device, but to no avail. The next day, she said in an update video that she took the car to a body shop—but was told there were too many 'nooks and crannies' and 'exposed metal' areas for a thorough scan. She also criticized the golf course where it all happened, saying the staff showed little interest and weren't even familiar with what an AirTag was. 'They could not have been less helpful or less interested,' Phillips said. For now, she's keeping her car away from her home, citing safety concerns. 'As for now, my car is not at my house,' she said in her most recent update on July 7. She promised to keep followers posted, but hasn't shared any new details since. What Do I Do if This Happens to Me? If you find an AirTag on or inside your car and you didn't place it there, don't ignore it . Apple and safety experts recommend disabling the device immediately and contacting law enforcement, especially if you feel unsafe or suspect someone is tracking you without your consent. The AirTag might beep if it's been separated from its owner for a while, but you can also use your iPhone or any NFC-enabled phone to scan it. Hold your phone near the white side of the tag, and a notification should pop up with instructions on how to disable it. Search your vehicle carefully—under seats, in compartments, around the trunk, and anywhere else the device might be hidden. If you find the AirTag, press down on the back and twist it counter-clockwise to remove the battery and stop it from transmitting. If your phone detected the tag, follow any on-screen instructions to disable it. Law enforcement may ask for the AirTag, its serial number, or any owner information you were shown, so take screenshots before handing it over. Do not return the device to whoever placed it there, and do not try to confront them, as that could put you at risk. If you use an iPhone, make sure Item Safety Alerts are turned on. This feature will notify you if an unknown AirTag is moving with you over time. And if you're ever in doubt, it's best to be cautious and involve the authorities. How Do I Know If I'm Being Tracked? If you're an iPhone user, your phone will automatically alert you if it detects an unknown AirTag moving with you—either because it's been separated from its owner or because someone might be using it to track you. If that happens, open the Find My app and follow the steps to locate the device. Some newer iPhones even offer precision finding, which can help you pinpoint exactly where the tag is hidden. If you have an Android phone, it's a bit less automatic. One option is to download the 'Tracker Detect' app from the Google Play Store and use it to scan for nearby AirTags. Viewers Offer Advice Phillips isn't the only one who says her car has been tagged with an AirTag. In the comments section of her video, others shared their own unsettling experiences. 'This happened to me, and the cops in my town told me [that] unless I find it or a crime is committed, they can't do anything,' one user wrote. 'Glad your town is better.' 'Take it to the mechanic! I had this happen to me, and they didn't even charge me,' another said. 'Deputy here. A girl came in with this exact concern about two years ago,' a third commenter added. 'We found out it was in her spare tire. We put it on my squad car.' Some also offered advice for what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation. 'Turn your location on your iPhone in your car,' one said. 'When the notification comes up, your phone will allow you to have the AirTag make a noise and also give you the last four digits of the phone number for the account.' Others suggested checking places like the gas cap or exhaust pipe. 'This happened to me, and they duct taped it to my exhaust pipe,' one commenter shared. Then there were those simply shocked. 'That's so scary,' one user wrote. 'The act of placing an AirTag on someone's property should be charged with aggravated stalking with intent to harm,' another said. 'There is no excuse someone needs to keep tabs on you like this.' Motor1 has reached out to Phillips via a direct message on TikTok. We'll update this article if we hear back. Now Trending 'Finally Good Parenting:' Man Realizes Someone Keyed His Jeep and Punctured Tires. Then a Neighbor Steps in With Ring Footage 'Jeep, Chrysler, Anything Stellantis': Mechanics Reveal Which Cars Pay Their Rent. Is Yours On the List? Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
New York Times
28 minutes ago
- New York Times
Judge Declines to Order Trump Administration to Restore Research Cuts
A federal judge in New York declined in a ruling on Friday to order the Trump administration to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in terminated funding that had been awarded to research institutions by the National Science Foundation. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed in May in which a coalition of 16 states argued that the grants were critical to maintaining the United States as a leader in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, subjects, and that the cuts were 'in complete derogation of the policies and priorities set by Congress.' The science foundation had announced policy changes meant to align its mission with that of the broader Trump administration. The changes included updating what the plaintiffs call the foundation's priority directive to exclude the funding of activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The suit asked the court to find the foundation's new priority directive unconstitutional and to issue an injunction blocking further cuts to universities and other higher education institutions. The judge, John P. Cronan of Federal District Court in Manhattan, found that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit because it sought monetary damages from the federal government. Such cases, he wrote, must be brought before the Court of Federal Claims in Washington. In his 78-page opinion, the judge also noted that plaintiffs seeking an injunction must, among other things, show a likelihood of success on the merits of a case. The states had not done that, he said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
