Guadalupe Perdomo, a Honduran asylum seeker, was wrongfully detained by Houston police for an hour after her car caught fire on her way to work. Despite having valid documentation and legal asylum status, Perdomo was handcuffed and questioned due to an outdated deportation record in the ICE system.
Police claimed they were following protocol after the system falsely flagged her as having a deportation order. However, Perdomo’s attorney clarified that her previous deportation order had been overturned years ago, and that she is currently in the process of securing a U-visa, which offers protection to victims of crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.
Perdomo, who fled domestic violence in Honduras, is now speaking out about the fear immigrants face when interacting with authorities during emergencies. She and her attorney are calling for improved accuracy in immigration databases to prevent similar, wrongful detentions. The incident has sparked concerns about eroding trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement in Houston.
While Houston Police Department (HPD) maintains they acted according to protocol, critics argue the department’s current practices contradict earlier assurances that local officers wouldn’t participate in federal immigration enforcement.
Reference:
Mejia, Jonathan. “Honduran woman detained by Houston Police due to ICE error” FOX 26. April 17, 2025.
