Federal Judge Orders Return of Former Milwaukee Teacher’s Aide to the U.S.
Yessenia Ruano, a former teacher’s aide from Milwaukee, has been granted the right to return to the United States following a temporary order issued by a federal judge. The decision was made in the context of a federal lawsuit challenging the prior administration’s deportation policies concerning crime victims.
In 2025, Ruano self-deported to El Salvador after her request to remain in the U.S. was denied while her application for a T-visa was pending. This visa is designated for victims of human trafficking who collaborate with law enforcement in their investigations.
Ruano became part of a lawsuit accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of violating federal laws and the due process rights of immigrants. Last week, Judge André Birotte Jr. ruled that Ruano and two other plaintiffs should be allowed to return to the U.S.
Sarah Kahn, an attorney from the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, stated that logistics of Ruano’s return are being arranged. Kahn commented, “Nothing can undo the trauma and the damage that has been done, but she will be able to come back to the country. She’ll be able to resume her life. Her children will be able to go back to school to be with their friends.”
At the time of filing the lawsuit, Ruano was 38, and her twin daughters, both U.S. citizens, were 10. The family had relocated to El Salvador fearing separation. Ruano originally fled El Salvador in 2011 due to gang violence, as outlined in the lawsuit, and subsequently fell victim to human trafficking.
Before her departure, she worked at a bilingual public school in Milwaukee, Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes.
Lawsuit Challenges ICE’s Deportation Practices
The lawsuit claims that ICE, using 2025 guidance, has been implementing policies leading to “blind removal” of immigrants, contravening federal protections for certain crime victims. This includes survivors of domestic violence and individuals with pending T-visa or U-visa applications.
Judge Birotte’s order mandates that federal officials cease the practice of automatic deportation of crime victims without reviewing their applications. The case will proceed with class action status, and Ruano’s T-visa application must be considered before any deportation actions.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson criticized the judge’s decision but confirmed compliance with the order, stating, “DHS complies with all court orders, even as radical NGOs shop for the most favorable forum and activist judges seek to thwart our operations.” The statement emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration law to maintain national security and public safety.
