Teenager from deported Soldotna family moved to Tacoma ICE custody

The 18-year-old's mother and two younger brothers were deported to Mexico, while he remains detained in Washington state

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A Soldotna, Alaska family was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents earlier this week, leading to the deportation of the mother and two of her sons to Mexico. However, the family's 18-year-old son, Alexis Arriaga, remains in custody and has been transferred from an Anchorage jail to an ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.

Why it matters

This case has sparked outrage in the Alaskan community and raised concerns about the impacts of ICE detentions and deportations on immigrant families, especially those with young children. It also highlights the complex legal challenges faced by undocumented immigrants seeking asylum or other forms of relief from deportation.

The details

On Tuesday, ICE agents detained Sonia Espinoza Arriaga and her three sons, ages 18, 16, and 5, in a raid in Soldotna. By the next day, Espinoza Arriaga and her two younger sons had been deported to Mexico. However, the oldest son, Alexis Arriaga, was not deported and instead remained in custody at the Anchorage jail. On Friday, Alexis was then transferred to the Northwest Detention Center, an ICE detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.

  • On Tuesday, ICE agents detained the family in Soldotna.
  • By Wednesday, the mother and two younger sons had been deported to Mexico.
  • On Friday, the 18-year-old son was transferred from an Anchorage jail to an ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington.

The players

Sonia Espinoza Arriaga

The mother of the deported family, who was detained by ICE agents along with her three sons and subsequently deported to Mexico.

Alexis Arriaga

The 18-year-old son of Sonia Espinoza Arriaga, who was not deported with his mother and younger brothers and remains in ICE custody in Tacoma, Washington.

Michael Burke

A senior pastor at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage, who provided a statement about the family's situation after their deportation.

Lori Nations

An attorney representing the family, who stated that a habeas corpus petition is still pending and that there is a possibility the family could return to Alaska.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that detained and deported the Soldotna family.

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What they’re saying

“There is a possibility that they can come back.”

— Lori Nations, Attorney representing the family

“At the intervention of Alaskan church leaders, they were then located there, and provided transportation to a safe housing location under the care of church networks.”

— Michael Burke, Senior pastor at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage

What’s next

A habeas corpus petition filed with the federal court is still pending for the family, and a motion has been filed to reopen Alexis Arriaga's asylum case, which means he will not be deported while that is pending.

The takeaway

This case highlights the devastating impacts of ICE detentions and deportations on immigrant families, especially those with young children. It has sparked outrage in the Alaskan community and raised concerns about the legal challenges faced by undocumented immigrants seeking asylum or other forms of relief from deportation.