After news got around Tuesday that a protected DREAMer had been deported under the Trump administration for the first time, amnesty advocates were vocal about their displeasure, with Jennifer Granholm in particular tweeting that the deportation was proof that Trump is a menace to families and humanity.
First protected DREAMer is deported under Trump https://t.co/966PwHGv8G
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) April 18, 2017
4 convictions, 1 for shoplifting, 3 for driving without a license. https://t.co/pCKXNa44mP
— David Frum (@davidfrum) April 18, 2017
Spitting mad: Trump is a menace to families and humanity https://t.co/9jktqC2Aow
— Jennifer Granholm (@JenGranholm) April 18, 2017
Rep. Steve King of Iowa, however, wasn’t spitting mad, although his tweet certainly made quite a few people want to spit in his beer … or worse. King poured a virtual cold one for the Border Patrol as thanks for their deporting the “first non-valedictorian DREAMer.”
First non-valedictorian DREAMer deported. Border Patrol, this one's for you. https://t.co/56z1b8xrJ2 pic.twitter.com/iNjKd9FHtM
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) April 18, 2017
Customs and Border Protection said Tuesday it could not discuss the February deportation of Juan Manuel Montes, 23, because of the department’s privacy policy. Montes reportedly couldn’t produce his ID or proof of his DACA status when approached by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
As is standard prodedure, USA TODAY came through with a brief biography of Montes:
The shy Montes was never a poster child for the DACA program. He wasn’t his high school’s valedictorian or a prominent advocate for fellow DREAMers.
He suffered a traumatic brain injury as a child that left him with learning disabilities that meant a constant struggle to keep up in school and everyday conversations, according to [executive director of the National Immigration Law Center Marielena] Hincapié. Despite those challenges, he made it through special education courses and graduated high school in 2013. He started taking welding classes at a Southern California community college and paid for it by picking crops in California and Arizona.
He lived with his mother and a younger brother, who was born in the U.S. and, thus, is a citizen. His mother did not want to be named or reveal her immigration status.
Court records show he has four convictions: one for shoplifting in January 2016, and three for driving without a license, most recently three months ago.
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The paper reports that soon after being deported, Montes “saw some people using a rope to climb over a section of the border wall and joined them. He was quickly captured by federal agents, questioned again and deported again.”
So, was Steve King’s offering of a beer a bit too cold?
you are on the wrong side of history. You will be remembered for that
— Resisting in Newport (@ruckus2) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/Twin66/status/854470489393291264
https://twitter.com/bdgrabinski/status/854472048780824576
Thanks for proving our point that the #GOP is basically the #KKK without the hoods. You make our job easy.
— CalNews.com (@CalNewsEditor) April 18, 2017
Wow, was that a really offensive tweet. But then, you intended it that way. Congratulations on being a jerk?
— Miriam Matteson (@mirmatt) April 18, 2017
This is coming from the alleged heartland of our country.Looks like our heartland has no empathy, compassion, soul. To celebrate? Disgusting
— Asher (@insideyourfuego) April 18, 2017
Fuck yourself, Nazi.
— Dennis Perkins (@DennisPerkins5) April 18, 2017
You're fucking disgusting
— Fred Sablan (@Fredsablan) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/jordansdiamonds/status/854473095280807938
There is something deeply wrong with you.
— Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, News Guild (@DanRodricks) April 18, 2017
You're a disgrace.
— Shaun O'Banion (@shaun_obanion) April 18, 2017
you're such a piece of shit. Enjoy drinking alone.
— justin L! cousson (@justincousson) April 18, 2017
Imagine hating people this much.
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) April 18, 2017
I have some suggestions for where you can put that when you get done drinking from it, you cowardly bigot
— Jason Bailey (@jasondashbailey) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/ssejsllew/status/854470635292160001
Our Lord said blessed are those who welcome the stranger (Matthew 25).
— Margaret P Houston (@HoustonMargaret) April 18, 2017
Hard to see the Christian values in this tweet.
— Anita Blanchard (@AnitaBlanchard) April 18, 2017
I don't believe in God but I will pray that you are struck by lightning.
— Becky (@davefan) April 18, 2017
Repugnant.
— Kele Cable (@KeleCable) April 18, 2017
Make no mistake: this man was worth more to America than you are.
— The Known Sea (@TheKnownSea) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/IveMarq/status/854473605777735680
https://twitter.com/SadFndngFathers/status/854470784215126017
https://twitter.com/DJMille56681824/status/854478314010005504
I'm lost for words. This is so heartless.
— humanity & decency 2020 (@KendallROConnor) April 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/BrklynEquities/status/854467783807160320
https://twitter.com/BrklynEquities/status/854467580345679874
* * *
Update:
https://twitter.com/passantino/status/854492021402198016
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has disputed Montes’ story of his deportation. As noted above, his lawyers say he was waiting for a ride home from a dinner date when he was caught without ID and detained immediately. The DHS says he was arrested by Border Patrol agents after illegally climbing over a fence in Calexico on Feb. 19.
Montes’ DACA had expired in 2015 and not renewed, according to federal records, Christensen said.
* * *
Related:
Top Democrats demand immediate release of DACA recipient arrested by ICE agents https://t.co/kNAGMyYJzC
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) February 16, 2017
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