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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Valerie Gonzalez,Cedar Attanasio and Sophia Tareen

Once-routine immigration check-ins become high-stakes calculation as some are detained

Immigration Appointments - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

When a couple from Colombia who was planning their wedding showed up for a check-in with U.S. immigration authorities, one was given his next appointment date. The other was detained and deported.

Jhojan doesn’t know why Felipe was detained at the Feb. 5 appointment with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But Jhojan was so worried after Felipe's deportation that he didn’t show up for his next check-in a month later. Jhojan insisted The Associated Press withhold the couple’s last names, fearing retribution.

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