Trump's Govt Deports Indonesian Student Despite Completed Immigration Documents

5 hours ago 10

February 26, 2025 | 04:53 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The writer and political observer identified as RM revealed the impact of immigration policies after Donald Trump was inaugurated as the United States President on January 20. RM stated that his child, S, became one of the Indonesian citizens (WNI) affected by Trump's immigration policy.

RM explained that S was a student at the University of San Francisco with complete immigration documents. However, S was summoned to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security office for immigration questioning on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, around 3:00 p.m. local time. After arriving and meeting with the officials, S was interrogated without a clear reason.

"For seven hours, S' cellphone and passport were taken," RM told Tempo over the phone on Monday, January 24, 2025.

RM said the officials questioned S about the purpose of coming to the U.S. Despite explaining that S was a student with sufficient savings to live in the U.S. without working, the officials keep interrogating the student.

After being probed for seven hours, the officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security immediately deported S. Two officials accompanied S to pack the student's belonging, asked S to book a flight ticket to Indonesia, and then escorted S to the airport.

"You need to go to the airport, we take you to the airport," RM mimicked the officials' words to S.

Meanwhile, S only informed RM about the deportation through a laptop while traveling back to Indonesia. S's phone was left with the pilot during the flight from the U.S. to Indonesia.

RM mentioned that S, aged 21, had been studying for a bachelor's degree in the U.S. for 3.5 years, majoring in economics and computer as a secondary subject. He estimated that S should have graduated in mid-December 2025.

After being deported, S was also not allowed to return to the U.S. for the next 5 years. However, RM stated that the university was committed to assisting S until graduation. "My kid is sad, but has already moved on," RM said.

RM mentioned that his wife immediately flew to the U.S. a week after S returned to Indonesia. His wife handled the apartment rental, sold the car, and obtained permission from the campus. Additionally, RM admitted that he had reported this case to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in San Francisco.

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