ICE deports the mother of a breastfeeding infant and a 2-year-old who is a US citizen

What we saw from ICE over the last several days is horrifying and baffling. Families have been ripped apart unnecessarily,

she said

One of the mothers is currently pregnant,

the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said in a separate statement, describing the deportations as "illegal and inhumane."

The New Orleans ICE Field Office deported at least two families, including two mothers and their minor children,

the National Immigration Project said in a Saturday statement, referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency

They separated a girl from her mother. They killed a mother, a father, and the future of a girl while she was still alive."

Her husband, Carlos Yuniel Valle, said in Spanish in an emotional video posted on his Facebook account

The baby is distressed and does not want to eat,

Valle told the Miami Herald

It feels like she's been stripped away from me, and I feel like I'm never going to see her again. I've been with my mom my entire life. I don't know what it's like to not have her. [I] have to tell my younger brothers that they're not going to get to see their mom. It makes me feel awful to see my dad struggling the way he is."

Carina Moran, daughter of recently detained Rosmery Alvarado, told CBS 42 earlier this week

Kathy Castorrepresentative

Immigration enforcement must be lawful and humane, not weaponized for political stunts. That means investing in smarter border security, expanding legal pathways, and protecting the rights of asylum seekers and immigrant families who contribute so much to our communities. The American people want a system that reflects our values, not one that rips families apart, violates the U.S. Constitution, and runs counter to human rights."

Representative Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat, wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Friday about illegal deportations in Tampa Bay

The Trump administration is enforcing immigration laws—something the previous administration failed to do. Those who violate these laws will be processed, detained and removed as required."

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin previously told Newsweek

We miss you my love but faith many people are helping us and with God's grace soon we will be together..."

In a Saturday Facebook post written in Spanish, Valle shared a photo of the couple and their daughter, writing

The Government contends that this is all okay because the mother wishes that the child be deported with her,

said Doughty

I think they’re following orders that they need to remove a certain amount of people by day and they don’t care, honestly,

Cañizares said

It is illegal and unconstitutional to deport, detain for deportation, or recommend deportation of a U.S. citizen,

Doughty said

ICE's actions show a blatant violation of due process and basic human rights. The families were disappeared, cut off from their lawyers and loved ones, and rushed to be deported, stripping their parents of the chance to protect their U.S. citizen children."

Teresa Reyes-Flores, Southeast Dignity not Detention Coalition

Once again, the government has used deceptive tactics to deny people their rights. These outrageous actions must be condemned. We as a nation are better than this. These families deserve better. They must be returned."

Alanah Odoms, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana

Around 7:30 p.m. the same day, V.M.L.'s father received a call from an ICE officer, who spoke to him for about a minute,

a court filing states

These actions stand in direct violation of Ice’s own written and informal directives, which mandate coordination for the care of minor children with willing caretakers – regardless of immigration status – when deportations are being carried out,

the advocacy organization said

It is therefore in VML’s best interest that she remain in the lawful custody of her mother,

Trump administration officials said in a filing on Friday