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Iowa Roofer Sues ICE: Why It Matters

A 29-year-old Iowa roofer named Yeison Lopez Lopez has been sitting in jail for three months — and now he’s suing ICE, Homeland Security, and President Trump.

Yeison, who’s lived in Iowa for 13 years, was arrested for using a fake ID to get roofing work. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor, served his sentence, and was later detained by ICE. When he asked for a bond hearing, the immigration judge denied it — saying she had no jurisdiction.

Now Yeison’s attorney argues his detention violates the 5th Amendment, which protects anyone — citizen or not — from being jailed without due process.

The case could impact how ICE handles thousands of immigrant workers nationwide, especially in industries like roofing, where nearly half the workforce was born outside the U.S.

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