Woman calls it a 'Texas nightmare' after husband detained by ICE despite years of compliance

Weeks after moving to North Texas, her husband was taken into ICE custody during a routine check-in.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:37pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary figure standing alone outside a government building, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of isolation and the emotional toll of immigration enforcement.The detainment of an undocumented immigrant despite years of compliance casts a somber shadow over a family's move to a new state.Dallas Today

A 30-year-old woman in North Texas is advocating for her husband, a Colombian national who crossed the border in 2024, after he was detained by ICE during a routine check-in just three weeks after they moved from Pennsylvania. Despite her husband's two years of compliance with ICE, he was taken into custody at the Dallas ICE office, leaving his wife in a state of shock, anger, and grief.

Why it matters

This case highlights the unpredictability and human toll of immigration enforcement actions, even for those who have followed the rules and procedures. It raises questions about the impact of relocating to certain states on the status of undocumented immigrants and the challenges faced by mixed-status families.

The details

Elena Adelitta's husband, Andres Guzman-Cano, a Colombian national, crossed the border in 2024. The couple had been compliant with ICE for two years while living in Pennsylvania. However, just three weeks after moving to North Texas, Guzman-Cano was detained by ICE during a routine check-in at the Dallas ICE office. Adelitta says they followed every rule and process, but everything changed once they moved to Texas.

  • Guzman-Cano crossed the border in 2024.
  • Guzman-Cano and Adelitta had been compliant with ICE for two years while living in Pennsylvania.
  • The couple moved to North Texas three weeks before Guzman-Cano's detention.

The players

Elena Adelitta

A 30-year-old woman in North Texas who is advocating for her husband, Andres Guzman-Cano, after he was detained by ICE despite years of compliance.

Andres Guzman-Cano

A Colombian national who crossed the border in 2024 and had been compliant with ICE for two years while living in Pennsylvania, but was detained by ICE during a routine check-in after moving to North Texas.

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What they’re saying

“I actually kick myself every day, because I'm the reason we're here. It was my idea to come to Texas.”

— Elena Adelitta

“People think that you have to grieve people when they die. I know this has been like a grieving process for me. I went from shock, anger, motivation, sadness, trying to do everything in my power as a U.S. citizen to help him.”

— Elena Adelitta

What’s next

Adelitta is advocating for her husband's release and exploring legal options to challenge his detention.

The takeaway

This case highlights the unpredictable and often harsh realities faced by undocumented immigrants and their families, even those who have been compliant with immigration authorities. It underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform and the human impact of current enforcement policies.