Oregon Family Detained by ICE While Seeking Medical Care for Daughter

Family released after weeks in detention center, raising concerns over treatment of immigrant families

Feb. 9, 2026 at 3:15am

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An Oregon family who was arrested by border patrol agents last month while seeking medical care for their seven-year-old daughter has been released after being held in a detention center in Texas for weeks. The family's detention has sparked outrage from a U.S. Representative, who called the incident "immoral" and called for an end to family detention and the dismantling of ICE.

Why it matters

The Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies have led to widespread debate over how Border Patrol and ICE have been deployed, including the detention of children and asylum seekers. This case highlights ongoing concerns over the treatment of immigrant families, especially those seeking medical care.

The details

The Gresham family - Yohendry De Jesus Crespo, Darianny Liseth Gonzalez de Crespo, and their seven-year-old daughter - was arrested by border patrol agents on January 16 while on their way to a hospital in Portland. The family was then detained in an ICE facility in Texas, where there have been active measles cases, putting the young girl at risk. U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter, a Democrat from Oregon, has been denied access to the facility and is now escorting the family back to Oregon.

  • The Gresham family was arrested by border patrol agents on January 16, 2026.
  • The family has been detained in an ICE facility in Texas for weeks.

The players

Yohendry De Jesus Crespo

A member of the Gresham family who was detained by ICE along with his wife and daughter while seeking medical care.

Darianny Liseth Gonzalez de Crespo

A member of the Gresham family who was detained by ICE along with her husband and daughter while seeking medical care.

Maxine Dexter

A U.S. Representative from Oregon who has been outspoken in her criticism of the family's detention and has called for an end to family detention and the dismantling of ICE.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The government agency that oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which were involved in the detention of the Gresham family.

Ricki Ruiz

An Oregon State Representative who spoke with the Gresham family and expressed support for their return home.

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What they’re saying

“I'm filled with joy that our Oregon family is coming home and yet outraged for the many other children and families who remain imprisoned by our government. Detention of children and families is immoral.”

— Maxine Dexter, U.S. Representative, Democrat of Oregon

“No child, but especially not a sick second grader on the way to urgent care, should be detained by ICE and then trapped in a facility with active measles cases.”

— Maxine Dexter, U.S. Representative, Democrat of Oregon

“These facilities are really not designed to be taking care of children. And the idea of that many children being inside them on any given day, I think, is really concerning.”

— Anna Flagg, Journalist

What’s next

On Friday, Representative Dexter said she was escorting the Crespo-Gonzales family, including their seven-year-old daughter, back to Oregon. She added that she would not be sharing additional information to respect the family's privacy.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the treatment of immigrant families, especially those seeking medical care, and the need for reform of immigration enforcement policies that have led to the detention of children and asylum seekers.