Brandon Ortiz-Vite, a 27-year-old illegal immigrant convicted of murdering Ruby Garcia in March 2024, has filed a handwritten lawsuit against former President Donald Trump. Ortiz-Vite is currently serving a prison sentence of 39 to 102 years at the Kent County Jail in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Garcia, 25, was found with several gunshot wounds dumped along a road in Grand Rapids. The two were in a romantic relationship and reportedly engaged in an argument at the time of the killing.

Ortiz-Vite alleges he faced humiliation when his case was used as a political talking point by Trump during a campaign rally. He claims, "I took full responsibility for my actions but for them to use my case for political gain on TV was unjust. Humiliating. When I thought it couldn't get worse, it did. I was center stage in front of a nation, public scrutiny at its finest!"

He further stated, "I was put into a category. Who I was as a person no longer mattered! What only mattered was my race, murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers. My case and immigration status! Once again, it belittled me, shattered my dignity and what I was as a person. The shame it brought to my family name is a reality I have to live with now."

Ortiz-Vite, who was previously deported from the U.S. and had remained under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program until his status expired on May 10, 2019, is demanding $75 million, a public apology, and U.S. citizenship in his lawsuit.

The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly seeking custody of Ortiz-Vite following his charges related to the murder after his deportation and subsequent release.

Sources