07 Jan 2026 Filipina Mother Deported Because Of Missing Document
Recently, an elderly Filipina mother, being petitioned by her U.S. citizen daughter, was ordered deported/removed because her daughter allegedly failed to include her latest tax return when she submitted an affidavit of support in connection with her mother’s adjustment of status. Even more shocking, the deportation hearing and deportation order happened less than a month after the adjustment denial!
This case goes against Trump’s claims of focusing on “enforcement priorities,” where he promised to focus on deporting felons, terrorists, and others who pose a threat to our safety and security. What threat does an elderly Filipina mother pose, especially when she had an approved petition from her daughter and was otherwise eligible to adjust status? Why is such a case considered an enforcement priority? This case should serve as a warning to everyone that the Trump administration is getting super strict, and it seems almost to be looking for ways to deport people, even if they do not constitute a “priority.”
The facts of that case were that the U.S. citizen daughter petitioned her mother in 2022, filed for adjustment of status, and included all the necessary/required documents. The petition was duly approved, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online case status indicated that as of October 2023, the case (or adjustment) was “under review.” The online case status indicated as of January 2024 that there were no outstanding requirements or documents needed.
However, a request for evidence (RFE) was served, asking for the daughter’s most recent tax return, which she timely submitted in April 2025. However, USCIS went ahead and denied the adjustment anyway. The daughter immediately filed a motion to reconsider, stating she had submitted the requested documents. Unfortunately, the motion was rejected because the incorrect filing fee was submitted.
This rejection was followed by a notice to appear (NTA), issued in September 2025, placing the mother in deportation proceedings with a hearing date for the very next month, in October 2025. Unfortunately, the mother had to be rushed to urgent care on the date of the hearing and did not attend the hearing. Nevertheless, the court went ahead with the hearing and ordered the mother deported/removed–all because of a missing document (tax return) when filing for adjustment of status. And what was more amazing is how quickly the hearing was scheduled after the denial, especially when we’re hearing about people encountered at the border with their asylum claims, where they sometimes wait years before a courtroom becomes available.
In this particular case, the mother would need to quickly file a motion to reconsider the deportation order or appeal, especially if the requested documents were timely submitted. I would fight this deportation, as it is simply “overkill” to first deny a case over something as insignificant as a missing document, which was actually submitted, and then to immediately place the person in deportation when she’s eligible for a green card through her daughter.
I know many people believe they have a simple, straightforward case and can handle it themselves. But now you see how strict and detailed the Trump Administration has become when processing cases. Now, if a document is missing, a form is not filled out correctly or the wrong box is checked, then not only could you face a denial, but as you can see in this case, you could be placed in deportation/removal, even if eligible for a green card. That is why I recommend you consult and retain an attorney for your immigration future.
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