Diana Santillana Galeano, a Colombian daycare teacher and mother of three, is out of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Clay County, Indiana. A federal judge had already ruled that her arrest was illegal. The event started with a fire at the Rayito de Sol daycare center on Chicago’s North Side. It sparked a historic tsunami of outrage and demonstrations from the local community and state legislators.
In fact, on the day of her arrest, federal agents reportedly tried to carry out a targeted traffic stop targeting Galeano. Witnesses said the agents beat her to the ground and repeatedly smashed her face into the glass doors of the daycare. Then, they shoved her against a parked car and placed her in handcuffs. This arrest took place in front of children—children who were supposed to be at his niece’s daycare center at the time their home was raided.
Galeano, it’s been reported, begged her case in Spanish, saying “Tengo papeles,” when first detained. Her detention case got national, regional, and local acclaim very fast and out of the ordinary. City and state lawmakers criticized the arrest and said that people who warn others of impending danger deserve humane treatment at the very least.
U.S. District Judge Jeremy Daniel was the judge assigned to the case. He noted that government admits itself that many of these courts have already found mandatory detention unlawful. His ruling focused on the fact that Galeano was never given a preliminary bond hearing. This absence was key to determining the legality of her detention.
“The government acknowledges that several courts, including this one, have found mandatory detention … unlawful.” – US District Judge Jeremy Daniel
The legal team representing Galeano was encouraged by the ruling. They focused on its importance to her individual case and to others like her. In doing so, they said it took an important step toward protecting people from being detained without due process indefinitely.
“The Court has recognized that Diana and scores of others like her should not be in custody indefinitely. This is an important step on Diana’s path to returning home where she belongs,” – Galeano’s lawyers
Immediately after her release, Galeano recorded this short video showing gratitude to everyone who helped secure her freedom during this horrific experience. She closed, again with her love for the community and her students in mind, looking forward to their welcome back.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has advocated on my behalf, and on behalf of the countless others who have experienced similar trauma over recent months in the Chicago area … I love our community and the children I teach, and I can’t wait to see them again.” – Diana Galeano
The arrest of Diana Santillana Galeano has raised serious red flag issues. The situation raises important questions about immigration enforcement priorities and practices in places like daycare centers. With these discussions underway, folks are hopeful. They hope this case will ignite long overdue reforms in the enforcement of immigration laws in public spaces.