Media: NY Times concerned that convicted murderer deported
The US deported someone who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
- Sep 1: A Jamaican Man Served Time in the U.S., Then Was Deported to an African Prison – The New York Times
- Sep 10: Trump Administration Deports Jamaican Man to African Prison Years After U.S. Sentence – The New York Times
The case of Orville Etoria highlights a tension in President Trump’s deportation agenda, in which immigrants can be sent abroad and detained indefinitely.
“Immigrants” – he was an illegal alien who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder.
- Emigrated to US in 1976.
- Convicted of attempted murder in 1981, sentenced to 3 years in prison.
- In 1996, shot 3 people in the head, murdering one and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
- In 2009, while in prison, the government issued a deportation order
- Released from prison in 2021 but allowed to stay in the U.S. (despite the 2009 order)
- In 2025, he was deported to Africa instead of Jamaica
While he was in prison, he completed a BA degree and he has an Aunt – the NY Times implies we should have sympathy for him – and he should be permitted to stay in the U.S.
Since leaving prison in 2021, Mr. Etoria, a father of three adult children, has spoken regularly with his aunt, she said. He has discussed his job at the shelter, and how he was learning to use the computer.
Per the NY Times, a conviction for murder is not grounds for deportation. (What would be grounds for deportation?)
The reporters: https://www.nytco.com/person/john-eligon/ and https://web.archive.org/web/20250901175001/https://www.nytimes.com/by/hamed-aleaziz
As I have written before, I think there are many cases that should be dealt with as “civil law”matters, which may involve civil fines and restitution. The US immigration system is bizarre – we have Federal laws and regulations – and then states that work against those laws. There is little to no consistency – we have states, such as Oregon, that believe anyone who overstays their valid visa should be permitted to stay in the U.S. forever. Then why have a border or immigration laws? None of this make sense.