Irish Grandmother Faces Deportation Over $25 Cheque Misunderstanding

URGENT UPDATE: An Irish grandmother, Donna Hughes-Brown, could be deported from the United States over a $25 bad cheque she signed in 2015. Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 29 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, she is now fighting for her freedom after returning from a family funeral in Ireland.

Currently held in a facility in Campbell County, Kentucky, Hughes-Brown, who has lived in the U.S. for nearly 50 years, faces removal proceedings due to a misdemeanor that she already addressed through restitution and probation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that lawful permanent residents with certain criminal convictions may be deemed inadmissible, leading to mandatory detention.

Her bond hearing, initially scheduled for August 13, was postponed due to a clerical error. When it finally occurred on August 15, a DHS attorney argued against bond, referencing new legislation. A second hearing on August 26 resulted in a bond denial, leaving Hughes-Brown in custody pending a deportation hearing set for September 17.

Born in England to Irish parents, Hughes-Brown moved to the U.S. in 1977 and has held a green card for over 30 years. At 58 years old, she is a full-time healthcare worker residing in Missouri with her husband, Jim Brown, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran. Jim is actively working to expunge his wife’s past misdemeanor, hoping it will eliminate ICE’s grounds for her detention.

“Trump advertised that he was getting criminal illegal immigrants and deporting them, which I don’t disagree with. But that’s not what he’s doing,” Jim Brown stated, reflecting a growing frustration among legal immigrants facing similar challenges. “There are hundreds, maybe thousands, who are being arrested who are legal immigrants in this country.”

In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said, “A green card is a privilege, not a right, and under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by friends and family to support Hughes-Brown’s legal defense, gathering over $5,600 of its $6,500 goal. The campaign aims to cover legal fees as the family navigates this challenging situation. A message on the fundraising page emphasizes the couple’s community involvement and the injustice they believe Hughes-Brown is facing.

As the deportation hearing approaches, the stakes are high. If deported, Hughes-Brown could be barred from returning to the U.S. for 10 years. “They’re trying to deport her, and if they deport her, she’s gone for 10 years,” Jim told Newsweek, highlighting the emotional toll this situation has taken on their family.

This developing story raises critical questions about immigration policy and the treatment of legal residents. As families like the Browns face uncertainty, many are urging for broader discussions on the implications of current immigration laws.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds, and consider supporting the Hughes-Brown family in their fight for justice.