A ten-year-old girl from Minnesota, Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano, has finally been released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. She and her mother spent a month in a detention center in Dilley, Texas. Elizabeth, a fourth-grader in Columbia Heights, will soon reunite with her father in Minnesota.
Elizabeth and her mother were picked up by federal agents on January 6. They were among several students from her school district detained as part of a broader immigration enforcement effort during the Trump administration. The family, who came to the U.S. from Ecuador seeking asylum, found themselves caught in a difficult situation. Despite having an active case, they were detained and separated.
Worries about Elizabeth’s health grew as a measles outbreak was reported at the detention center. Reports indicated that Elizabeth was experiencing flu-like symptoms and her mother developed hives. Carolina Gutierrez, the principal secretary at Elizabeth’s school, has been very supportive. She expressed relief at the news of Elizabeth’s release and emphasized the importance of advocating for other families still in detention.
When Elizabeth and her mother were arrested, the young girl thought they were being sent back to Ecuador. According to school officials, she pleaded with her father over the phone, requesting to return home. Her father waited fruitlessly for hours at the school, desperate to reunite with his daughter.
This situation highlights the ongoing complexities within U.S. immigration policy. Experts like Bobby Painter from the Texas Immigration Law Council argue that many families like Elizabeth’s should never have been detained. He noted that families seeking asylum should be treated with dignity, not subjected to trauma.
Recent statistics reflect alarming trends. From January to October 2025, about 3,800 minors were booked into ICE’s immigrant family detention, including very young children. “Family detention is traumatic for children, regardless of the duration,” Painter stated. He urges for a reconsideration of these policies and practices.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended its actions, saying it offered the mother a chance to place her child with a trusted caretaker before they were kept together, school officials contradicted this. They said the father was prepared to take custody, but actions during the arrest made this very challenging.
Elizabeth’s return to school is much anticipated. Gutierrez mentioned that the community has rallied support for families facing similar hardships. However, the psychological toll on these children is undeniable. The fear of separation looms large, affecting students’ ability to learn and feel secure in their environment.
The story of Elizabeth and other detained children underscores the urgent need for compassion and reevaluation of immigration practices. As public attention grows, advocates continue to call for change. By bringing awareness to these issues, we can hope for a future where no child faces such stress and uncertainty again.
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