DACA Recipient Detained by ICE While Visiting Newborn Daughter in NICU

Juan Chavez Velasco was arrested while on his way to deliver milk to his premature infant in the hospital

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:37pm

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Juan Chavez Velasco, a 35-year-old DACA recipient, was detained by ICE agents in Weslaco, Texas while on his way to visit his newborn daughter in the neonatal intensive care unit. Chavez Velasco, who is married to a U.S. citizen and has three children, was taken into custody despite telling officers he was a DACA recipient. He was then transferred to the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo, Texas.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing immigration enforcement actions taken by the Trump administration, even against DACA recipients who are contributing members of their communities. It raises concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and the impact on children when a parent is detained.

The details

Chavez Velasco, who enrolled in DACA in 2012, was on his way to deliver breast milk to his newborn daughter Elianna, who was born prematurely on February 6th. Despite telling ICE agents that he was a DACA recipient and had a wife and children in the U.S., he was taken into custody and transferred to a detention center. Chavez Velasco's DACA status had expired just weeks prior, though he had filed a renewal application in November.

  • On February 18, Chavez Velasco was detained by ICE agents in Weslaco, Texas.
  • Chavez Velasco's DACA status expired on March 10, weeks after he was taken into custody.

The players

Juan Chavez Velasco

A 35-year-old DACA recipient who was detained by ICE while on his way to visit his newborn daughter in the NICU.

Stephanie Villarreal

Chavez Velasco's wife, a U.S. citizen, with whom he shares three children.

Elianna

Chavez Velasco and Villarreal's newborn daughter, who was born prematurely and was in the neonatal intensive care unit when her father was detained.

Jodi Goodwin

Chavez Velasco's attorney, who is pursuing legal strategies to keep him with his family.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The agency that will determine if Chavez Velasco's DACA application can be extended.

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What they’re saying

“I feel very sad and heartbroken because I would have thought that the Trump administration would be more compassionate towards people like me who contribute to the country and have basically lived here all our lives. I love this country. I love what I've been able to accomplish here.”

— Juan Chavez Velasco

“When ICE nabbed him a few blocks from his home, they knew he had DACA, which is designed to protect holders from being subject to further enforcement actions. The Trump Administration has changed the core meaning of what deferred action is by taking him into custody.”

— Jodi Goodwin, Chavez Velasco's attorney

What’s next

Chavez Velasco's attorney is pursuing congressional assistance and considering other legal strategies to keep him with his family, while also relying on whether USCIS will grant an extension for his DACA application and if ICE will grant him a Stay of Removal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, even against DACA recipients who are contributing members of their communities. It raises concerns about the impact on immigrant families and children when a parent is detained, and the erosion of protections for DACA recipients.