Several lawyers and women said that the US immigration authorities violated their own policies by telling some of the 121 Central American women and children they arrested that they had 'no recourse' to dispute their deportations. The raid took place on the first week of January in an effort to deport hundreds of families who illegally crossed the border in the southern part of US.

According to Yahoo News, the raid has been the first large-scale operation since 2014. Three arrested women told reports through their attorneys that the ICE officials had misled them on their right to legal counsel while staying in a detention center in Dilley Texas. ICE denied such allegations and said they have taken appropriate action in overseeing deportation operations. Carl Rusnok, a spokesman of ICE, said that the officers provided incoming residents with a notice of right to legal counsel upon their arrival at the center. Mr. Rusnok insisted that all residents who were questioned had an opportunity to call and meet with legal counsel.

Reuters reported that the current US administration has already deported 77 out of the 121 adults and children who were arrested in North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and other states this month. Such move from the government is part of a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal immigrants who were crossing the border that is particularly located southwest of the nation.

President Barack Obama's administration also added that it is focusing on adults and children. According to AJC, many advocates for immigrants criticized Obama's raids. The group claimed that the majority of those who are facing deportation fled from extreme suffering in their native countries.

Bryan Cox, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman, said that the residents had an opportunity to present their claims to an immigration judge. However, in practice, many of the residents cannot afford an attorney or are caught in pending cases seeking a pro bono lawyer.