Jane Doe, a Congolese woman seeking refuge from human trafficking and abuse, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle against top U.S. officials after being deported under questionable circumstances. On February 16, 2026, Jane Doe filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against several high-profile defendants including Donald J. Trump, Kristi Noem, Todd Lyons, Scott Ladwig, Pamela Bondi, and Marco Rubio.
The case revolves around allegations that the defendants violated Jane Doe’s statutory due process rights by failing to provide adequate notice of potential third countries for removal and conducting necessary fear interviews. After fleeing Congo in 2024 due to severe threats from her trafficker husband, Doe was granted protection in the U.S. on June 10, 2025. However, she was detained by ICE at Richwood Correctional Center until February 14, 2026. On February 15th, without proper notification or opportunity to present her fear-based claims regarding third countries like Senegal or Nigeria where she feared persecution, she was put on a deportation flight.
Doe’s complaint highlights the grave danger she faces if returned to these countries and accuses the defendants of violating U.S. laws and constitutional rights. She seeks a court declaration that her removal was unlawful and demands her return to the United States with assurances of safe reentry. Additionally, she requests compensation for expenses incurred due to her wrongful removal.
The legal proceedings are supported by attorneys Ellen Hahn from Lafayette and Whitney Hood from Sanctuary for Families in New York City. The case is presided over by judges in the Western District of Louisiana under Case ID: 3:26-cv-00473.
Source: 326cv473_Jane_Doe_v_Donald_Trump_Complaint_Western_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
