Mather Student and Mom Detained by ICE, Community Rallies

Ricardo Navarrete and his mother Liliana were taken into custody during a routine immigration check-in, leaving his school and soccer team reeling.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A cinematic painting of a lone soccer ball resting on a Chicago sidewalk, bathed in warm sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the disruption and uncertainty faced by the Navarrete family.The detention of a promising high school soccer player and his mother has left their community in Chicago reeling, a somber reminder of the ongoing impact of aggressive immigration policies.Chicago Today

Ricardo Navarrete, an 18-year-old senior at Mather High School in Chicago, and his mother Liliana were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month after showing up for what they thought was a routine check-in related to their asylum case. The detention has been a painful reminder for Ricardo's classmates, teachers, and soccer teammates, who say he should be focused on end-of-year activities like prom instead of being held in immigration detention facilities.

Why it matters

The detention of Ricardo and his mother highlights the ongoing impact of the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies, even as immigration enforcement has lessened in Chicago. It's a reminder that families and students continue to be affected by the mass deportation campaign, with many facing uncertain futures despite having active asylum applications and no criminal records.

The details

Ricardo Navarrete and his mother Liliana arrived in Chicago as asylum seekers from Colombia in 2022. Ricardo, a standout high school soccer player, had committed to playing for Truman College after graduation. But on March 16, ICE detained the pair after they showed up for what they thought was a routine check-in related to their asylum case. Ricardo has described being held in cramped rooms with dozens of men and other tough conditions. Lawyers for the family say Ricardo and Liliana had an active asylum application when they were detained and neither has a criminal record.

  • On March 16, Ricardo and his mother were detained by ICE after showing up for what they thought was a routine check-in related to their asylum case.
  • Over the last month, Ricardo has been held in detention facilities in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The players

Ricardo Navarrete

An 18-year-old senior at Mather High School in Chicago who was detained by ICE along with his mother. He is a standout soccer player who had committed to playing for Truman College after graduation.

Liliana Navarrete

Ricardo's mother, who was also detained by ICE along with her son after they showed up for what they thought was a routine check-in related to their asylum case.

Kristy Morrow

A community member who has helped connect the Navarrete family with lawyers and organized an online fundraiser to help with legal expenses. Her son plays club soccer with Ricardo.

Costel Serban

The coach of Ricardo's soccer club, iProSkills Academy, who has spoken with Ricardo several times since he was detained and says the teen remains resilient and optimistic.

Mateo Abrego

One of Ricardo's close friends at Mather High School, who says the school's hallways feel different without Ricardo and that classmates are wearing shirts with his name to show their support.

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What they’re saying

“They don't deserve to be there. They've fought for everything they have in this country and they're being unjustly detained.”

— Steven Navarrete, Ricardo's older brother

“Its incredible for me seeing such a young 18-year-old waking up every morning in a jail cell and he keeps telling me 'Coach, don't worry, I'm strong and I know my family is out there.'”

— Costel Serban, Ricardo's soccer coach

“It's been really hard in school, people really love him. It's heartbreaking and it's been really tough to process.”

— Mateo Abrego, Ricardo's close friend at Mather High School

What’s next

Lawyers for the Navarrete family have submitted habeas corpus petitions challenging Ricardo and his mother's imprisonment, and they are hopeful that court hearings with a judge could happen as soon as next week.

The takeaway

The detention of Ricardo Navarrete and his mother Liliana is a painful reminder that the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies are still affecting families and students in Chicago, even as immigration enforcement has lessened in the city. Their case highlights the ongoing uncertainty and trauma faced by asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, and the importance of community support and advocacy in these situations.