Episode 9

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Published on:

26th Apr 2025

Two Year Old US Citizen Deported

Take Action

If this concerns you, take action with those in this situation showing courage. Here's how you can make sure your elected officials and the public hear from you — and can't say they didn't know. 

📧 Email Template 

Subject: A Citizen Deported Without Due Process — Demand Immediate Action

Dear [Representative/Senator] [Last Name],

I am writing today with urgency and outrage. It has come to public light that a two-year-old U.S. citizen, identified as V.M.L., was deported alongside her undocumented mother and sister without due process. Despite clear evidence of her citizenship, they were taken into custody after a routine immigration check-in and forcibly removed from the United States with no hearing, no representation, and no opportunity to challenge the government's actions.

This is not merely a bureaucratic error. It is an unthinkable violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, which guarantee that no person — not just citizens — shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law. The deportation of a citizen without a hearing shatters the foundation of our democracy. It tells every American that the rights they rely on can be discarded without warning, without accountability, and without recourse.

We are at a dangerous crossroads. When government agencies treat constitutional protections as optional, when children born in this country can be erased from it by executive will, we are no longer speaking of isolated mistakes. We are witnessing the systematic erosion of the rule of law.

I am asking you not just to issue statements of concern but to act. Demand a full public investigation into these deportations. Hold accountable those responsible for these violations. Reaffirm publicly and unequivocally that due process and citizenship are nonnegotiable pillars of the United States.

The American people are watching. History is watching. Your oath to defend the Constitution requires nothing less than action.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]


☎️ Phone Script

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [City, State].

I’m calling because I’m deeply concerned about the deportation of a two-year-old U.S. citizen, V.M.L., who was removed without due process. Her mother and sister were taken too.

This is an unthinkable violation of our Constitution and a direct attack on the rights every American depends on.

I’m asking [Senator/Representative Name] to demand a full investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and reaffirm publicly that citizenship and due process are nonnegotiable.

We are watching. We need leaders who will stand up for the rule of law — before it’s too late.

Thank you.


📣 Sample Social Media Post 

🚨 A 2-year-old U.S. citizen was deported without due process. This is unconstitutional and unthinkable.

Citizenship means something — or it means nothing.

Demand action. Defend democracy.

#DueProcess #Constitution #BiggerThanMe #ProtectCitizens #OnTyranny

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2515f9e3-fc1a-4407-b8eb-b3b69a1ab273/


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Sources:

  • American Immigration Council. "Deportation and Due Process." American Immigration Council, 2020. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/deportation-and-due-process.
  • Lippman, Daniel. "Judge says 2-year-old US citizen appears to have been deported with 'no meaningful process'." Politico, April 25, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/25/us-citizen-deportation-donald-trump-00311631.
  • Miroff, Nick. "Three U.S. citizens, ages 2, 4 and 7, swiftly deported from Louisiana." Washington Post, April 26, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/04/26/us-citizen-children-deported-ice/.
  • Pilkington, Ed. "Trump officials deport two-year-old US citizen and mother of one-year-old girl." The Guardian, April 26, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/26/trump-administration-child-deportation.
  • The Times. "American toddler 'illegally' deported with her pregnant mother." The Times UK, April 26, 2025. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/american-toddler-illegally-deported-with-her-pregnant-mother-p5lh6nwfx.
  • Snyder, Timothy. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century. New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2017.


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About the Podcast

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project
Where headlines meet history—and we stand united.
Bigger Than Me is a rapid-response audio blog from the Bigger Than Me Democracy Project.

Hosted by Bonnie Ross, this blog helps listeners make sense of the moments that don’t just make news — they challenge democratic norms. Each episode breaks down what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the authoritarian playbook described in On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Here are the 20 lessons we return to again and again:
1. Do not obey in advance.
Authoritarianism thrives when people preemptively conform. Refuse to teach power what it can get away with.

2. Defend institutions.
Institutions don’t protect themselves. Pick one you care about — a court, a library, a newsroom — and take its side.

3. Beware the one-party state.
Support multiparty democracy and fair elections while you still can. Vote in every election. Consider running for office.

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
Symbols matter. Hate spreads when we get used to seeing it. Don’t look away. Don’t let it stand.

5. Remember professional ethics.
When leaders set bad examples, ethical commitments matter more. Rule of law needs defenders in every field.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
When the men with guns claim to protect the nation, watch who they march with. The merging of unofficial militias and official forces signals real danger.

7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
If you serve in uniform, be ready to say no when something isn't right.

8. Stand out.
The moment you do, others will follow. Nothing breaks the spell of the status quo like someone brave enough to go first.

9. Be kind to our language.
Avoid political clichés and empty slogans. Speak clearly. Read deeply. Think for yourself.

10. Believe in truth.
If nothing is true, power wins. Reality matters. Truth is the foundation of freedom.

11. Investigate.
Don’t just consume headlines. Subscribe to trustworthy journalism. Learn how propaganda works.

12. Make eye contact and small talk.
It’s more than polite — it’s civic glue. In times of fear and distrust, human connection is resistance.

13. Practice corporeal politics.
Get off the screen. Show up in person. Join others in physical, public acts of civic life.

14. Establish a private life.
Protect your digital life. Keep some conversations offline. Tyrants exploit what they learn about you.

15. Contribute to good causes.
Support organizations that reflect your values. Help sustain civil society with your time and money.

16. Learn from peers in other countries.
Authoritarianism is a global trend. Stay connected beyond borders. Have a passport. Use it.

17. Listen for dangerous words.
“Emergency.” “Terrorism.” “Extremism.” Authoritarians exploit these words to justify taking power.

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
Crises are used to break democracy. Don’t trade freedom for false promises of safety.

19. Be a patriot.
Model the kind of America you want future generations to inherit.

20. Be as courageous as you can.
No one wants to be a hero. But if we’re not willing to risk for freedom, we all risk losing it.

About your host

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Bonnie Ross