A family at the Los Angeles immigration court has just sued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They are just as equally worried over their six-year-old son’s medical treatment, as he recovers from a second occurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The young boy suffered a tragic fate, having been diagnosed with the disease at the tender age of three. He has weathered two years of treatment and remains chemotherapy free for over a year now. His recent detention at a privatized facility in Dilley, Texas, has led to serious concern for his continuing medical care.
This family came to our attention after they were arrested earlier this month when their immigration case was suddenly dismissed. Since her detention started, the boy has missed a very important kidney checkup in light of his detainment. His mother continues to have grave concerns about his medical care in detention. The most recent one, she thinks it might threaten his life. The youth needs constant watchful eyes on his well-being and health, and quick access to medical care.
During their arrest at the court, the boy experienced severe distress upon seeing an ICE agent’s gun, resulting in him urinating on himself from fear. Disturbingly, he was kept in wet clothes for several hours after this incident. His mother told us about how they worked hard to make all the different appointments from when they first arrived in the US. She went on to add that there have been no leukemia cells found in his bloodstream since he finished his treatment.
Extensive research has documented that detention can irrevocably damage the physical and mental health of children. This serious and irreparable harm poses difficulty and danger to the plaintiff’s psychological well-being. Advocates have pointed out that children at the Dilley facility often receive inadequate medical care, raising alarms about the well-being of detainees.
Deputy Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary Tricia McLaughlin—named as a defendant in the lawsuit—fired back with an aggressive, impassioned defense. She added, “Under no circumstances while in detention is a detained person ever denied emergency care.” She reiterated that medical staff have consistently been able to see the child since he came to the Dilley facility. She said we should be thankful that he has not had to go through chemotherapy during the last year.
Despite the assurances they have been given, these families are still rightfully worried about their safety in their circumstances. They claim that the purpose of their detention is not governmentally legitimate. Rather, it is due to the simple fact that they are easy to find—they are in court appearing to seek humanitarian relief. According to court documents provided by the Texas Civil Rights Project, they faced “imminent, menacing death threats” in their home country, prompting their journey for safety.
“The government is not detaining petitioners to serve its legitimate interests in protecting against danger or flight risk.” – Court filing
“Instead, the government is detaining this family, along with countless others swept up in its courthouse arrests, for the illegitimate reason that they were easy to locate because they were where DHS told them to be to pursue humanitarian relief.” – Court filing
McLaughlin doubled down on this claim, insisting that ICE “put[s] health safety and well-being first for all detainees who are in [ICE]’s care.” According to advocates, it’s the systemic problems in detention centers that has always endangered vulnerable groups, especially minors.
And, as this family continues to fight their legal battle, so many questions still hang overhead about how things will play out for them. They’re still appealing their case, which was already dismissed by their original immigration judge. While they await resolution, their future remains uncertain amidst ongoing concerns regarding the adequacy of medical care provided during their detention.