Officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended the young wife of a staunch Trump supporter as the couple returned from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico. Interestingly, despite her detention since February, her husband continues to stand by his support for the former president.
Bradley Bartell and Camila Muñoz, who reside in Wisconsin, were on their honeymoon trip when, upon returning to the United States, Camila was detained due to visa issues. Originally from Peru, Camila arrived in the U.S. in 2019 with a work and study visa. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions led to her overstaying her visa. At the time of her arrest, she was in the process of securing permanent residency.
Despite having no criminal history, she was separated from her husband at the airport. It took Bartell nearly a week to locate her within the ICE detention system. The incident highlights the more stringent deportation policies under the Trump administration, yet Bartell’s political stance remains unchanged.
In an interview with Newsweek, he stated, "I don’t regret my vote," affirming his support for the Republican leader in the recent election. While Camila is currently held in an ICE detention center in Louisiana, Bartell has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to gather funds for legal fees and bail.
"We have a lawyer. The system for processing people seems incredibly inefficient, which is causing unnecessary delays," he commented. The couple met while she was working in the U.S. and have been saving to buy a home and start a family.
Following the publicization of their story, they have faced significant criticism and insults, with many suggesting they "deserve this," Bartell revealed. Regarding Trump, he argues that "he didn’t create the system," but acknowledges that the president has the power to improve it. "Hopefully, all this attention will highlight how flawed [the system] is."
Bartell and Muñoz's story is just one among many arising from the Trump administration's immigration policies, which led to over 28,000 deportations within the administration's initial months, according to Newsweek.
Understanding the Impact of Immigration Policies
Why was Camila Muñoz detained by ICE?
Camila Muñoz was detained due to overstaying her work and study visa, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions.
Did the situation affect Bradley Bartell’s political views?
Despite his wife's detention, Bradley Bartell remains supportive of Trump and does not regret his vote for the Republican leader.
What steps has Bradley Bartell taken to support his wife?
Bradley Bartell has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal expenses and bail, and he has hired a lawyer to assist with her case.