The Weaponization of Legality
1. THE ACTORS: Who defines 'expedited'? Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Official Tricia McLaughlin: States 'These are regular removal proceedings. They are not in expedited removal...there is nothing retaliatory about enforcing the nation’s immigration laws.' This phrasing leverages a technical definition of 'expedited removal' (which applies only to certain undocumented arrivals within 100
miles of the border and within 14 days of entry, without a judge) to deflect accusations of accelerated deportations for those already in the system. The legal system is bifurcated, allowing DHS to claim adherence while still pushing for speedier outcomes through other means. Danielle Molliver (Lawyer for the Conejo Arias family): Describes government attempts to speed up proceedings as
'extraordinary' and 'retaliatory.' Her objective is to ensure due process and provide a defense against deportation. The fact that an immigration judge granted her additional time, as reported, suggests a judicial acknowledgment of the pressure faced by the defense. Adrian Conejo Arias (Father) and Liam Conejo Ramos (Son): The direct subjects of the enforcement, their individual case becomes a
symbol, regardless of the nuanced legal claims. 2. THE FUNDING: The enforcement economy. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): A branch of DHS, operating on a budget that has seen significant increases over decades. In fiscal year 2023, ICE received approximately $8.7 billion from congressional appropriations, a majority of which funds enforcement and removal operations (ICE Annual Report,