A man who is an undocumented immigrant and currently serving a lengthy prison term for the murder of a Michigan woman is taking legal action against former President Donald Trump. He claims that Trump has publicly humiliated him by politicizing his case, and he’s asking for $75 million, a public apology, and a chance at U.S. citizenship.
Brandon Ortiz Vito, 27, who had been deported from the U.S. before, received a sentence of 39 to 102 years for the murder of Ruby Garcia in March 2024. Her body was discovered along a road in Grand Rapids, showing multiple gunshot wounds.
At the time, the two were in a relationship and had been involved in an argument when the incident occurred.
In a handwritten complaint lodged in federal court, Ortiz-Vito lists Trump and White House chief deputy press secretary Stephen Chan as defendants. Fox News Digital has reached out for a response from the White House.
The case attracted widespread attention, especially during a visit to Grand Rapids by Trump, who has prominently focused on illegal immigration in his political campaign. During his remarks, Trump referred to Ortiz-Vito as “America’s problem.”
Trump also included Ortiz-Vito’s mugshot in an ad, labeling him an example of “murderers, rapists, and drug traffickers” in the country illegally, as reported by the Midwesterner.
As a result, Ortiz-Vito has said he faced ridicule from both staff and inmates in prison.
“I was placed in a category. My identity became irrelevant; all that mattered was my race,” Ortiz-Vito expressed. “You disrespected me and tarnished my dignity.” He lamented the damage his case had done to his family name and emphasized that while he accepted responsibility for his actions, it felt unjust for his situation to be used for political leverage. “It was degrading to be scrutinized so publicly,” he noted.
His lawyer stated that the media spotlight on his case had created a “nightmare” experience for him. He described his first meeting with public defenders as eye-opening, realizing the extent to which his case had gained notoriety. “Being infamous meant becoming a target!” he reflected, adding that the psychological toll was immense.
Legal expert Matthew Bogra mentioned that the lawsuit would likely not prevail due to several reasons, including presidential immunity. He pointed out that while the president’s statements might be scrutinized, they are generally protected as official acts. “This case should not see the light of day,” he remarked.
Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon criticized the lawsuit, deeming it a reflection of an “arrogance and entitlement” among convicted murderers. She advised that lawmakers should prioritize the victims like Ruby Garcia over those who commit violence against them.
After illegally entering the U.S., Ortiz-Vito had been eligible for DACA until his status expired in May 2019. He was deported in 2020 following a DUI arrest, but it’s unclear when he reentered the country illegally.
Interestingly, the complaint does not cite any legal violations but instead condemns Trump for using his case to critique Biden’s border policies.
Despite the circumstances, Ortiz-Vito insists he owns his actions, expressing, “I faced the consequences head-on.” He admitted to turning himself in following the incident, emphasizing his remorse over what he had done.
Ultimately, he is pursuing $75 million, an apology, and a chance at citizenship, viewing the lawsuit as an expression of what it means to be a focus of a national political conversation. Bogra noted that although the plaintiffs may be struggling, he doubts the court can provide any real relief.
“Having pled guilty to second-degree murder, unless he manages to overturn that conviction, he won’t have legal grounds to pursue damages related to it,” he concluded.
