Outrage Erupts as 2-Month-Old and Family Deported by ICE Following Hospitalization

A two-month-old infant suffering from bronchitis was deported alongside his mother and sister to Mexico just hours after being discharged from a Texas hospital. This incident unfolded within the confines of a facility that has seen a surge in immigrant family detentions.

Juan Nicolas, the youngest detainee at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, was “rushed” to a local hospital on Monday night after spending nearly three weeks in detention. According to Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro, Juan was “unresponsive” during his hospital stay but was released shortly after arrival.

On Tuesday evening, following an immigration court judge's order for the mother’s removal, the family was deported back to Mexico. They were reportedly left with only $190 saved from their time in ICE detention, a situation described as “abandonment” by Castro.

“To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous,” Castro stated. “My staff and I are in contact with Juan’s family. We are laser-focused on tracking them down, holding ICE accountable for this monstrous action, demanding specific details on their whereabouts and wellbeing, and ensuring their safety.”

Univision reporter Lidia Terrazas managed to locate the family in Mexico, where they had managed to secure a hotel room.

Juan’s mother, Mireya Lopez-Sanchez, recounted her son’s distressing condition while hospitalized, stating he was “choking on his own vomit” and unresponsive. “Even the officer was scared because he said: ‘he doesn't move,’” she recalled, expressing her fears about ICE potentially retaliating against her son for speaking out about his illness while still in detention.

“I have nothing, I need a house, I need a roof to sleep in or something, more than anything, attention for my children, because they are unprotected,” Lopez-Sanchez told Univision.

Democratic Representative Delia Ramirez criticized the conditions in ICE detention centers, labeling them as “inhumane and deadly.” She is co-sponsoring legislation aimed at effectively ending immigration detention under Homeland Security.

In a statement released Tuesday night, a spokesperson for Homeland Security clarified that Juan was taken to a local hospital in Pearsall for treatment of a respiratory infection but was not admitted. Hospital staff assessed him as stable and responsive during their evaluation.

Juan is part of an increasing number of children held at the Dilley facility, which is operated by private prison company CoreCivic and located approximately 70 miles south of San Antonio. The federal government does not publicly disclose information regarding children in immigration custody; however, advocacy groups and investigative organizations indicate that the number of detained minors is on the rise.

Last year, at least 3,800 individuals under 18 years old, including 20 infants, were reported in immigration enforcement custody. The exact number of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women detained by ICE remains unclear, but various reports suggest dozens have been held within the past year.

ICE’s internal policy states that individuals known to be pregnant, postpartum, or nursing should not be detained except under exceptional circumstances. A recent federal ruling criticized the administration for transferring a breastfeeding refugee mother out-of-state, highlighting the detrimental impact on her bonding time with her infant.

The Dilley facility was established during the Obama administration to accommodate families crossing the U.S.-Mexico border but was reopened under Trump’s administration as law enforcement intensified efforts against immigrant families residing in the U.S. The center has faced increased scrutiny following incidents such as a measles outbreak and the hospitalization of children whose health deteriorated due to inadequate medical care.

ICE confirmed at least two measles cases within the Dilley center last month after concerns were raised about potential outbreaks and reported illnesses among children. Additionally, staff at the detention center have been accused of neglecting medical care for seriously ill minors.

The Department of Homeland Security has consistently defended its practices regarding the detention of children with immigrant parents while encouraging families to utilize the CBP Home app to manage their departure from the U.S. “We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream,” stated outgoing deputy secretary Tricia McLaughlin.