Teenager Detained While Heading to Church and Her Father Released by ICE in Texas
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – After spending several days in an ICE detention center in Dilley, Texas, teenager Emely Suaza and her father, Fernando Suaza, were released on Tuesday and were able to reunite with their family. The young girl caught the community's attention after being detained while heading to Mass at the Church of the Grotto of Lourdes in San Antonio. "Happy for the freedom and for having my daughter free again and being with our families," Fernando expressed after regaining his freedom. According to the family, on the day of the detention, the young girl was taken to a processing center in Crosspoint. Subsequently, agents reportedly contacted her parents to inform them that they could pick her up. However, Fernando claims that upon arrival, he was also detained. "Deceived because I went to pick her up since she was supposedly going to be released, but I was taken into the offices and told that I would also be processed with her," he stated. Telemundo has not been able to independently confirm this version with ICE. Father and daughter were later transferred to the Dilley detention center, where they remained for several days. "Very difficult and very hard because everything comes crashing down on you... a lot of worry. You think it’s the end," Fernando recounted. During their detention, Fernando's wife made the family's situation public, generating community support and attracting the attention of Congressman Joaquín Castro, who shared images of their release. In a statement, the legislator noted that father and daughter should never have been detained, as they have a pending asylum case. Additionally, Castro added, they have a Social Security number and work permit. Before leaving the detention center, Emely sent a message to the authorities. "Latino children today are the tomorrow of this country. Don’t lock them up; protect them," she expressed.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
