Congressman's Staffer Flies to Colombia to Return Hearing Aid to Deported 6-Year-Old

Rep. Eric Swalwell says his staff member has landed in Colombia to place the hearing device back in the child's ear.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced that one of his staffers flew to Colombia to return a hearing aid device to a 6-year-old boy who was deported alongside his mother, Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez. The family was sent to Colombia without being given a chance to obtain the child's hearing aids, according to their attorney. Swalwell said his office is working to help the family return to the United States under humanitarian parole so the child can go back to school.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the treatment of immigrant families, especially those with special needs children, during the deportation process. It raises questions about due process, access to essential medical devices, and the impact on vulnerable minors.

The details

According to Swalwell, his staff member has just landed in Colombia and is placing the hearing devices back in the 6-year-old boy's ear. The family's attorney, Nikolas De Bremaeker, said Rodriguez Gutierrez was pleading with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to allow her to get the assistive devices for her son, but they were denied. De Bremaeker also said the family's due process rights were violated, as he was unable to locate them for three days after they were detained and was blocked from submitting emergency filings.

  • On March 11, 2026, Swalwell announced that his staffer had just landed in Colombia to return the hearing aid to the child.
  • Last week, the family was detained and deported to Colombia without the child's hearing aids.

The players

Rep. Eric Swalwell

A Democratic Congressman from California who said his office is working to help the family return to the United States.

Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez

The mother who was deported to Colombia alongside her 6-year-old son, Joseph.

Joseph

The 6-year-old deaf child who was deported to Colombia without his hearing aids.

Nikolas De Bremaeker

The family's attorney who said their due process rights were violated during the deportation process.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The government agency that detained and deported the family without allowing them to retrieve the child's hearing aids.

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What they’re saying

“As we stand here, my staff has just landed in Columbia, and is placing the hearing devices back in the boy's ear.”

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (thehill.com)

“What happened here was not about public safety. How does ruining the life of a six-year-old deaf child make our community or our country be safer? It doesn't. It makes the country darker.”

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (thehill.com)

“In a move that shocks the conscience and violates several laws, as well as our constitution, ICE denied Joseph the assistive devices he needs to live.”

— Nikolas De Bremaeker, Family Attorney (thehill.com)

What’s next

Swalwell said his office is working with the Families Council to help the family return to the United States under humanitarian parole, so Joseph can return to his school.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges and human costs faced by immigrant families, especially those with special needs children, during the deportation process. It raises concerns about due process, access to essential medical care, and the impact on vulnerable minors.