A video capturing the arrest of an individual alleged to have lived illegally in the United States for 20 years has circulated widely on social media. The footage shows 39-year-old Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva from El Salvador being removed by ICE agents at Salt Lake City International Airport on Wednesday, with bystanders pleading for agents to show mercy.
Leiva’s attorney claims she is legally authorized to reside and work in the U.S., citing a valid employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration lawyer Adam Crayk stated that Leiva was seen carrying a work permit valid until 2029, which he argued confirmed her legal status. “She wasn’t lying when she said she was here legally,” Crayk asserted.
ICE disputes these claims, asserting that Leiva entered the U.S. in 2007 and was issued a final order of removal in 2020, which she failed to address. The agency described the operation as a targeted enforcement action against individuals who have ignored deportation mandates.
The case has sparked debate over immigration enforcement, with critics questioning why Leiva was not required to comply with legal pathways for residency despite decades in the country.
