- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
ICE Deports Sick Infant and Family to Mexico with Just $190
The 2-month-old baby was held at an ICE detention facility for 3 weeks with bronchitis before being deported.
Published on Feb. 20, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 2-month-old infant named Juan Nicolás, who was detained with his mother at a federal ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas, has been deported to Mexico after falling ill with bronchitis and becoming unresponsive during his 3-week detention. The family was deported with only $190 in their possession, according to the family's attorney.
Why it matters
The deportation of the sick infant and his family has sparked outrage, with critics condemning ICE's actions as inhumane and calling for the agency to be abolished. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and children in detention facilities.
The details
Juan Nicolás, a 2-month-old infant, was detained at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dilley, Texas, along with his 16-month-old sister and their parents. During his 3-week detention, Juan Nicolás fell ill with bronchitis and respiratory issues, at one point becoming unresponsive and requiring hospitalization. Despite his medical condition, ICE proceeded to deport the entire family to Mexico, providing them with only $190 in their possession.
- Juan Nicolás was detained at the ICE facility in Dilley, Texas for about 3 weeks.
- On February 18, 2026, the family was deported to Mexico.
The players
Juan Nicolás
A 2-month-old infant who was detained at an ICE facility in Dilley, Texas and deported to Mexico while suffering from bronchitis.
Joaquin Castro
A U.S. Representative from Texas who confirmed the family's deportation and is working to hold ICE accountable.
What they’re saying
“After a discussion with their attorney, I have confirmed that Juan, his 16-month-old sister, his mom, and his dad have been deported. According to their attorney, ICE deported the family with only the money that they had in their commissary—a total of $190. To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous.”
— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative (X)
“ICE deported Juan Nicolás, a child who spent three weeks in the Dilley ICE Detention Center in Texas and is suffering from bronchitis, to Mexico. This agency is beyond reform and threatens all of us. Deporting a sick child is completely inhumane—we need answers immediately.”
— Valerie Voushee, North Carolina Congressional Candidate (X)
What’s next
Rep. Joaquin Castro and his staff are in contact with the family and are focused on tracking them down, holding ICE accountable, demanding details on their whereabouts and wellbeing, and ensuring their safety.
The takeaway
The deportation of the sick infant and his family has sparked widespread outrage, with critics condemning ICE's actions as inhumane and calling for the agency to be abolished. This case highlights the ongoing concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and children in detention facilities, and the need for greater accountability and reform within the immigration enforcement system.
