Undocumented immigrant deported under Laken Riley Act

BROWNSTOWN, Ind. (WISH) - An undocumented immigrant in Indiana is being deported under the newly signed Laken Riley Act.

The law deports immigrants charged with certain types of crime.

“He’s a problem for Guatemala now,” Republican Congresswoman Erin Houchin said.

In March 2024, Domingo Juan Juan crossed the center line of U.S. 50 near Seymour, Indiana, hitting 27-year-old Brad Castner head-on and killing him.

“Brad was amazing. He was the best brother. The best uncle that you could have. He was so kind and sweet to everybody. Everybody loved him,” Kendra Castner said.

Court records show Juan Juan has two previous charges for driving without ever getting a license.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant said Juan Juan was not speeding or under the influence at the time of the crash.

“Under Indiana law, the only charge available to me is operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license,” he said.

Driving a car without ever getting a license is a Class C misdemeanor in Indiana.

The Laken Riley Act signed by President Donald Trump is targeting undocumented immigrants who are charged with more serious crimes.

“Including burglary, theft, assaulting law enforcement officer and crimes that result in serious bodily injury, or death,” Chalfant said.

Because Castner died in the crash, the Laken Riley Act is able to be used on Juan Juan and ICE will be deporting him back to Guatemala.

“We can’t control what happens to him there. We can only hope what happens to him there, but at least he’s not here. We know what he would be doing here. He’d be out in 30 days back driving again and somebody else could get hurt that way and we don’t want that to happen, so I think that’s most important,” Chalfant said.