BREAKING: Second U.S.-Born 2-Year-Old Caught in Deportation Case — What the Media Isn’t Telling You (VIDEO)
The story of 2-year-old Manu Borges Santos, a U.S.-born citizen deported to Brazil with her undocumented parents, has dominated headlines, painting a picture of heartless policy under the Trump administration. But as the media frenzy intensifies, a crucial detail is being buried: Manu’s parents chose to take her with them. The video, shared by Call to Activism on X, shows a young girl in a pink dress walking down an alley, a poignant image that’s gone viral.
MAJOR BREAKING: The Trump administration has deported a second 2-year-old American girl. Manu Borges Santos was born in Florida, had a U.S. passport and social security. Brazilian officials were reportedly stunned to see her on the plane. This isn’t policy. It’s cruelty. pic.twitter.com/NlMqAG6K7I
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) May 29, 2025
But the reality, as Robbie Starbuck reveals, is far more nuanced. “Her parents decided to take her with them,” Starbuck tweeted, a fact that mainstream media outlets like The Washington Post and MSNBC have conveniently omitted.
The narrative pushed by activists is clear: Trump’s ICE is forcibly deporting American children. But the truth, as Starbuck points out, is that parents are given a choice. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed this, stating that in such cases, “parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with someone the parent designates.” Yet, Manu’s parents, Edivan Borges dos Santos and his wife, insisted they weren’t given a choice—a claim that’s been debunked by multiple sources. The video of Manu, now a symbol of alleged cruelty, doesn’t tell the whole story.
This isn’t the first time the media has distorted the facts. The ACLU’s report on similar cases highlights systemic issues, but it also admits that parents often opt to stay together. The image of Manu, alone in that alley, tugs at heartstrings, but it’s a selective portrayal. Starbuck’s thread, which has gained traction, reminds us that the parents’ decision was voluntary, a choice made amidst a complex immigration system that Trump is working to reform. For Trump supporters, this is another example of media bias, with users like End Wokeness and Libs of TikTok decrying the “lies” being spread.
The stakes are high. Trump’s administration has deported over 1.2 million individuals since January, a record pace that’s part of his promise to secure the border. But cases like Manu’s are being weaponized to undermine that effort. As one X user put it, “The media wants you to feel, not think.” This video, powerful as it is, is a reminder that the full story matters—and in this case, it’s one the media isn’t telling you.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publication or its affiliates. The analysis of the deportation case and media coverage is based on public reactions and does not endorse or oppose any political party or candidate.
Michelle is an American conservative author she is committed to the constitutional principles of individual freedom, economic liberty, limited government, personal responsibility, and traditional values. She is a libertarian and provocateur who believes in freedom and liberty for all Americans. As a passionate journalist, she works relentlessly to uncover the corruption happening in Washington, while exposing politicians and individuals who wish to do us harm.
More fake gloom and doom. The 2 year old is not an ‘anchor baby’ enabling the parents to remain in the US. To their credit the parents did not abandon their child and took her with them. At age eighteen she can apply for and be granted admission as a full citizen, maybe even sooner in thr right circumstances.