Dulce Consuelo Díaz Morales, a 22-year-old woman, has recently been fitted with an electronic ankle monitor as part of ICE's "intensive supervision" program, despite her claims of being a U.S. citizen. Her legal team asserts that they have submitted evidence proving her birth in the United States.
This action follows a 25-day stint in immigration custody before her release, according to a report from Noticias Telemundo in Baltimore, Maryland.
Díaz Morales expressed that the monitor is uncomfortable and occasionally causes her pain. However, she was told it was "better than being jailed again."
The report highlights that she had just celebrated a week since being reunited with her five-year-old son.
According to Telemundo's account, Díaz Morales was apprehended on December 14 in front of her family near her Baltimore home. She stated that during the arrest, she explained her U.S. birth, but authorities doubted her due to her possession of Mexican documents.
Díaz Morales shared that she lived in Mexico from age seven and returned to the U.S. over a year and a half ago. She mentioned potential confusion due to the use of different surnames on her U.S. and Mexican paperwork.
Her legal representation claims to have provided the government with "compelling evidence" of her citizenship but observed a "slow" and "reluctant" acknowledgment of any error.
Attorneys even hired a medical records expert who verified the authenticity of her birth certificate and vaccination and school records in the U.S., all of which were submitted to authorities.
Despite her release, her defense team warned that Díaz Morales's freedom remains conditional, as the Department of Homeland Security continues to challenge the defense's claims in court, with her deportation process still active. ICE is expected to maintain regular check-ins.
In December, ICE stated that Díaz Morales "is not a U.S. citizen" and referred to her as "an illegal immigrant from Mexico," alleging she failed to provide a birth certificate or proof of citizenship.
Telemundo reported attempting to reach ICE for further comment but had not received a response at the time.
Díaz Morales mentioned she is in the process of obtaining her U.S. passport and has a scheduled immigration check-in.
Questions on Immigration and Citizenship Claims
What evidence did Díaz Morales provide to support her U.S. citizenship?
Díaz Morales's legal team provided birth certificates, as well as vaccination and school records from the U.S., verified by a medical records expert.
Why is Díaz Morales's freedom considered conditional?
Her freedom is conditional because the Department of Homeland Security continues to contest her citizenship claims in court, and her deportation proceedings are still ongoing.
What actions has Díaz Morales taken following her release?
Díaz Morales is working on obtaining her U.S. passport and has a scheduled appointment with immigration authorities for a check-in.