California man ordered to depart U.S. ‘immediately’ despite providing birth certificate: ‘I’m not trying to be one of the government’s mistakes’
Aldo Martinez-Gomez, a lifelong resident of San Diego County, California, faced a surreal ordeal on April 11, 2025.
He opened an email from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ordering him to leave the United States “immediately.”
The message threatened criminal prosecution and fines if he failed to depart within seven days.
It included a chilling warning: “Do not attempt to remain in the United States — The federal government will find you.”
Martinez-Gomez, born at Paradise Valley Hospital in National City and raised in Chula Vista, was stunned.
“Where do they want me to go?” he asked in an interview with KTLA. “I was born in National City. I was raised in San Diego County my whole life.”
Who is Aldo Martinez-Gomez?
Martinez-Gomez is a U.S. citizen with deep roots in California.
He works full-time as an immigration lawyer for a nonprofit organization, assisting immigrants navigating the U.S. immigration system.
As an accredited representative, he advocates for immigrants’ rights in court, earning recognition in his community.
His professional background may have contributed to this incident.
“I believe I received it because I’m an accredited representative, and I represent immigrants, and I advocate for immigrants’ rights in the court,” he told ABC 10News.
Additionally, Martinez-Gomez has been involved in immigration lawsuits against the first Trump administration, potentially making him a target of scrutiny.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Aldo Martinez-Gomez |
| Birthplace | Paradise Valley Hospital, National City, San Diego County, California |
| Residence | Raised and lived most of his life in Chula Vista, South Bay, California |
| Occupation | Immigration lawyer, accredited representative at a nonprofit |
| Legal Involvement | Participated in lawsuits against first Trump administration’s immigration policies |
The DHS Email: A Threatening Directive
The email, received on April 11, 2025, claimed Martinez-Gomez was in the U.S. under a DHS parole that was now being terminated.
It stated: “Unless it expires sooner, your parole will terminate seven days from the date of this notice.”
It further warned, “If you do not depart the United States immediately, you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States.”
This claim baffled Martinez-Gomez. He has never been paroled into the U.S., having been born here.
The email’s threatening tone and erroneous premise raised immediate concerns about how his information was flagged for deportation.
DHS’s Explanation: “Unintended Recipients”
DHS responded to inquiries about the incident with a statement suggesting an error.
A senior official explained that notices may have been sent to U.S. citizens if their contact information was provided by migrants.
“CBP used the known email addresses of the alien to send notifications,” the official told Daily Mail.
“If a non-personal email — such as an American citizen contact — was provided by the alien, notices may have been sent to unintended recipients.”
The agency emphasized it would address such cases individually.
However, this explanation offered little comfort to Martinez-Gomez, who remains wary.
“I do get nervous,” he said. “They have been talking about deporting U.S. citizens, so it is a concern.”
Martinez-Gomez’s Response: Fear and Resilience
Despite submitting his birth certificate to prove his citizenship, Martinez-Gomez has been forced to prepare for the worst.
He has made contingency plans with his family, including his mother, in case he is detained.
His work in immigration courts, often near ICE offices, heightens his anxiety. “When I represent people in immigration court, there’s always an ICE office nearby,” he said.
“Will I be detained when I represent a client at a hearing? Will they come to my house?”
Martinez-Gomez is determined to raise awareness about his situation.
“I’m not seeking fame or attention,” he told KTLA. “I just want to bring light to this issue because I’m not trying to be one of the government’s mistakes.”
His deadline passed on April 18, 2025, leaving him in limbo. As of that date, he was still awaiting clarity on his status.
A Systemic Issue? Other Cases Emerge
Martinez-Gomez’s case is not isolated. A Massachusetts immigration attorney reported receiving a similar DHS email last week, suggesting a broader issue within the agency’s processes.
The Washington Examiner noted that multiple Americans have come forward with stories of receiving erroneous deportation notices.
These incidents raise questions about the accuracy of DHS’s data systems and the safeguards in place to prevent such errors.
The potential for U.S. citizens to be mistakenly targeted underscores ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and government accountability.
| Reported Cases | Details |
|---|---|
| Aldo Martinez-Gomez | San Diego, CA; received notice on April 11, 2025; U.S. citizen |
| Massachusetts Attorney | Received similar DHS email last week; details limited |
| Other Americans | Multiple reports of erroneous deportation notices, per Washington Examiner |
Broader Context: Immigration Enforcement Tensions
The incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies.
Recent cases, such as the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, have fueled criticism of DHS’s procedures.
While unrelated to Martinez-Gomez’s case, these events highlight the potential for administrative errors to cause significant harm.
Martinez-Gomez’s situation also reflects broader concerns about the targeting of immigration advocates.
His involvement in lawsuits against past policies may have made him a focal point, though DHS has not confirmed this.
Looking Ahead: Awaiting Resolution
As of April 24, 2025, Martinez-Gomez remains in a state of uncertainty.
He continues his work, advocating for immigrants’ rights, while grappling with the fear of detention.
His story has drawn media attention, which may pressure DHS to resolve his case swiftly.
For now, Martinez-Gomez hopes his experience will shed light on systemic issues and prevent others from facing similar ordeals.
“I just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” he said.
