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ICE Detention Accused of Seizing Toddler’s Prescribed Care as Family Wins Emergency Release

An emergency habeas petition forced the release, focusing attention on medical care at the Dilley contract facility.

Overview

  • An 18-month-old identified as Amalia was hospitalized Jan. 18–28 in San Antonio with pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV and severe respiratory distress and was treated on oxygen.
  • After discharge on Jan. 28, she was returned to the Dilley facility where staff confiscated her nebulizer, albuterol and nutritional supplements, according to a federal lawsuit.
  • Medical experts submitted affidavits warning of extreme danger without reliable access to prescribed treatment, including a stated high risk of decompensation and death.
  • The family was released Friday after attorneys filed an emergency habeas corpus petition, while DHS did not provide a detailed response and CoreCivic said safety is its top priority.
  • The Venezuelan parents say they applied for asylum via CBP One, were detained during a Dec. 11 check-in, and the father was kept at Dilley as ICE supervised the mother and child in the hospital.