Ramirez Celebrates the Release of 14-Year-Old Constituent From DHS Custody, Demands End of Detention

Glen Ellyn, IL-Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement announcing the release from DHS's custody of her constituents Steven, a 14-year-old with autism, and his father, Victor Romero Martinez:

"After more than 60 days of inhumane detention in Dilley Immigration Processing Center, Steven and his dad are finally back home with their family and the community that loves them. I am thankful for their legal team, the Hadley School community, School Board Chair Bob Bruno, and my team, who worked tirelessly alongside the family to secure Steven and Victor's release and affirm the rule of law. I am proud to be part of the coalition that is fighting to defend our constitutional rights and shared humanity. Victor and Steven's release is a win for el pueblo.

Yesterday, I was fortunate to spend some time with Steven. I saw how he is working to return to his life in Glen Ellyn, surrounded by a community of care; however, the pain and trauma caused by the cruelty of separation and detention remain. Each day he spent in inhumane and unsanitary conditions in Dilley took a toll. And as he awaits his next ICE check-in in a few short weeks, the fear of being taken again only grows. His father told me that Steven won't survive more time in a detention camp. He should not have to endure more. We must continue to fight so that no other children experience what Steven, Liam, and the more than 3,800 children detained by ICE have endured.

Detention has always been inhumane. Every member of Congress must join me to pass my Melt ICE Act to end immigrant detention and monitoring, disrupt DHS's immigration enforcement, and return taxpayer dollars to our communities. No more detention. No more billionaires profiting from our pain. No more black boxes removed from the light of Congressional oversight. We brought DHS into this world, and we can build a world without it, too."

For photos of the encounter, CLICK HERE.