"Injustice at the Border: Cuban Man Describes ICE Detention of Bolivian Wife and Young Children"

In a surprising turn of events, Mayra Gabriela Morales, a Bolivian mother, along with her two children, aged 11 and 18 months, were unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Their arrest occurred following a court hearing on Tuesday. Morales, married to Braulio Rodríguez, a Cuban who has become a U.S. citizen, had traveled from Nebraska to San Antonio, Texas, for an immigration proceeding.

The family embarked on a three-day journey, driven by their dedication to "doing things legally and correctly," as expressed by Braulio Rodríguez in an interview with Univision. Although their initial court date was set for 2026, they were recently informed of a preliminary hearing scheduled unexpectedly.

Unexpected Detention at the Court

During this hearing, the case against Mayra and one of her children was dismissed, offering a brief moment of relief. However, a routine legal matter quickly turned into a nightmare. As the hearing concluded on June 10, Braulio noticed ICE agents outside the courthouse with photos of his wife and children. His worst fears were confirmed as Mayra Gabriela Morales and her children were apprehended by ICE and taken to a detention center on Crosspoint Street in San Antonio.

The Chaotic Experience Inside Detention

Once inside the center, Mayra faced a daunting reality. "I knew I shouldn't be there because we have done everything by the book, all the paperwork on time. When I came out, no one would explain what was happening. I didn't know if I would be staying, leaving, or where we were being taken," she recounted, her voice trembling.

Upon requesting to speak with an ICE official, she was presented with two startling options: accept $1,000 for voluntary deportation or stay and appeal the dismissal. "He told me, ‘You shouldn't be here, let me look at your case. They can give you $1,000 and you can return to your country, or you can appeal,’ and I said, ‘I will appeal.’”

However, the appeal process was anything but simple. According to Mayra, the judge in charge refused to review any of the documents she provided, including her marriage certificate, proof of her university studies in the United States, and immigration paperwork from USCIS.

“I brought my marriage certificate, proof that I am studying here in the United States, I attend university. I brought my children’s documents, USCIS paperwork, I brought everything, and he wouldn't look at any of it. Then he told me they would put an ankle monitor on me and let me out so I could fight my case from the outside,” she explained to the media outlet.

Released with a Monitor and a New Hearing Location

Ultimately, after discussions with an ICE official, Mayra and her children were released. She was fitted with an electronic ankle monitor and given a month to formally file her appeal. Moreover, the case was transferred to Nebraska, allowing her to pursue her immigration process without the burden of returning to Texas.

This incident was not an isolated one. Mayra shared with Univision that a Honduran family detained the same day was released under similar conditions, hinting at a broader policy or practice by ICE.