A Honduran mother along with her two minors, who reportedly set a legal precedent by challenging the immigration arrest policy at courthouses through a lawsuit, have been freed from detention according to human rights organizations and their legal representation. The family’s case became known following the lawsuit lodged on behalf of the mother, referred to as ‘Ms. Z’, her son aged six and her daughter, aged nine. They were taken into custody off the court premises subsequent to their immigration hearing. The family had remained in a detention center for a significant amount of time.
The full identities of this family have not been disclosed due to personal safety concerns. According to the filed lawsuit, their entry into the country was legal, and their arrest infringed on their rights defender’s argument that their liberties against unreasonable searches, seizures, and the right to due process were violated.
Adding a further layer of concern to their arrest, the mother’s young son recently underwent treatment for leukemia, prompting worry from his mother about declining health prospective complications while being confined in detention. Subsequently, they were released from the detention center amidst their ongoing lawsuit thus re-emerging into society temporarily.
Following their release, the family sought refuge in a shelter before making plans to re-establish their lives within the Los Angeles community. It is intended that they will resume their day-to-day normal activities, attending church and school while simultaneously pursuing their case for asylum.
A sense of hope is prevalent in restoring some level of normalcy for the young boy who may finally receive much needed medical attention. In the view of their advocates, their arrest and subsequent detention were unjust and without rightful cause.
Upon reaching out, state officials did not provide any immediate response or commentary on this legal situation. Since May, the country has experienced a substantial increase in arrests, particularly of those who are asylum-seekers attending common hearings. A significant number of people have been taken into custody outside courtrooms escalating the massive effort of deportation.
In a number of conduct instances, the government attorney could succeed in having a judge dismiss deportation proceedings, only for law enforcement officers to promptly apprehend the individuals and fast-track their deportation pathway. Advocates for the family dispensed information that during a court appearance in front of a judge, the mother expressed her intent to persist with their plea for asylum.
In an unexpected twist, the department sought to terminate their legal cases and was granted permission by the court to do so. Upon leaving the courtroom, a brush with plainclothes individuals, suspected to be officers, led to the family’s arrest.
They were subsequently held at an immigration processing center for approximately eleven hours. During their underwhelming stay in captivity, they were provided an unsatisfactory amount of food and water to sustain them.
An unpleasant incident occurred during their time at the facility. The young boy was startled by an officer revealing his weapon, which led to a visible distress in the boy causing him to wet his clothing. An added incident of dismay was the lack of care provided afterward, as the child was left wearing his soiled apparel until the following day.