ICE Deports Alabama Father Despite Court Order

Despite a federal judge’s order to keep him in the U.S. while he pursued what she called a “substantial claim of U.S. citizenship,” immigration officials deported Alabama resident Chanthila “Shawn” Souvannarath to Laos, his attorneys said. A Sunday WhatsApp message to his wife said he was in Dongmakkhai, Laos. U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick had issued a temporary restraining order Thursday, warning deportation would cause irreparable harm. The ACLU of Louisiana called the move a stunning violation; ICE and DHS did not respond to inquiries. Souvannarath, 44, claims citizenship through his naturalized father.