Woman Wants to Self-Deport After Son's Death in ICE Custody

Arlit Martinez-Carrada's attorneys tried to get her released to say goodbye before her son died of cancer.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A woman named Arlit Martinez-Carrada said she wants to leave the country after her 15-year-old son, Kevin Mendoza Martinez, died while she was in ICE detention. Her attorneys tried to get her released so she could say goodbye before he died of cancer, but it was too late. Now, her attorneys are working to help her voluntarily deport, but a date has not been set yet.

Why it matters

This case highlights the difficult situations faced by immigrant families in the U.S. immigration system, where detentions can separate loved ones during critical times. It also raises questions about ICE's policies and procedures around humanitarian release requests.

The details

Martinez-Carrada's attorney said it was heartbreaking to tell her inside the Baltimore ICE facility that her son had died. Her son's health declined shortly after she was detained. Her attorneys tried to get her released so she could see him one last time, but it was too late. Now, Martinez-Carrada has decided to self-deport after her son's death, feeling it is the best way for her to heal. However, the Department of Homeland Security has not yet filed the necessary paperwork to process her self-deportation.

  • Martinez-Carrada's son, 15-year-old Kevin Mendoza Martinez, died of cancer while she was in ICE detention.
  • Martinez-Carrada was eventually released from the immigration detention center in New Jersey on a $12,000 bond, just in time to attend her son's funeral.

The players

Arlit Martinez-Carrada

A woman who was in ICE custody when her 15-year-old son died of cancer. She now wants to self-deport.

Kevin Mendoza Martinez

Martinez-Carrada's 15-year-old son who died of cancer while she was in ICE detention.

Sarah Takyi-Micah

The family's attorney who had to tell Martinez-Carrada about her son's death while they were separated by plexiglass in the detention center.

Carolina Curbelo

Another attorney who joined the case after Martinez-Carrada was transferred from Baltimore to an immigration detention center in New Jersey.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that has not yet filed the necessary paperwork to process Martinez-Carrada's self-deportation request.

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What they’re saying

“And we were in the visitors' room where we were separated by plexiglass, so I couldn't touch her. I couldn't reach out to her. I couldn't console her. The only thing I could do was touch the plexiglass which she touched when she was broken down, screaming and crying.”

— Sarah Takyi-Micah, Family Attorney (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“This is not a woman who is a criminal. This is a woman who has paid taxes. This is a woman who has had four children — four U.S. citizen children. It's just a travesty that we're at this point.”

— Carolina Curbelo, Attorney (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“She has been through a traumatic experience and does not want to stay here based on all she has gone through. She feels like she is in a better position to heal for her to leave rather than pursue any other form of relief.”

— Carolina Curbelo, Attorney (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has to file a charging document, Notice to Appear, in order to process Martinez-Carrada's self-deportation request, but that has not been done yet.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the human toll of the U.S. immigration system, where families can be torn apart and denied the ability to be together during critical moments. It underscores the need for more compassionate policies and procedures that consider the unique circumstances of each case, especially when it involves the death of a child.