A planned vacation to Disney World took a tragic turn for a Colombian mother and her 9-year-old daughter, leading to their detention for 128 days in ICE facilities in the United States and ultimately their deportation to Colombia. This ordeal began with their arrest at Miami International Airport.
On October 2, 2025, Maria Alejandra Montoya shared with Telemundo that both she and her daughter were apprehended at Miami Airport. Initially, the child was held inside the airport premises, and about two hours later, both were taken into custody, confined in an ICE facility cell.
Later, they were transferred to the detention center in Dilley, Texas, where Montoya described enduring over four months in an environment she claimed was dominated by confinement and the constant presence of children.
“I Came for a Ten-Day Vacation”: The Child’s Letter
The first public record of their detention emerged through a handwritten letter by the daughter, Maria Antonia Guerra Montoya. According to Infobae, this letter was shared by media after its publication on ProPublica.
In the letter, the young girl expressed that she had been detained for 113 days, missed her friends, feared being forgotten, and mentioned coming “for a ten-day vacation” before being taken to an ICE office.
She also made a poignant plea about her situation: “I am not happy in Dilley, please get me out of here, to Colombia.”
Detention Conditions and Alleged Mistreatment
Montoya described the detention space as “boxes with windows,” with a “dull color” and an atmosphere that worsened when realizing it was filled with children.
In her account, she recounted practices she deemed inhumane towards the children, such as yelling and constant commands like “don’t play,” “don’t run,” along with the use of a whistle to get their attention.
The daughter also complained in writing about not receiving her vegetarian diet, stating she “didn’t eat well” and that there was “no good education.”
Montoya noted that they provided medical letters and records upon entry, but despite this, the girl was subjected to an interview with a chaplain to explain why she was vegetarian and if she could justify her dietary choice on religious grounds.
Separation During Hospitalization and Legal Challenges
Montoya recounted being urgently hospitalized due to a kidney complication, during which they were separated: she was taken to the hospital, and her daughter remained under full custody of officers.
The report further indicates that Montoya’s husband—a U.S. citizen—tried to assist them at the airport but was prevented from contacting his family or providing immediate legal assistance.
Regarding her situation, Montoya explained she was undergoing a process with USCIS after her marriage, which, according to her, allowed her to stay in the U.S. while her residency was pending. However, authorities argued she needed to wait for her papers in her home country and could voluntarily leave.
Montoya was informed her daughter was “inadmissible” and faced the choice of self-deporting with her or being detained. She insisted on being married to a U.S. citizen and in the process of a status change due to marriage.
Return to Colombia: Focus on Emotional Recovery
Montoya and her daughter returned to Colombia on February 6, 2026. Upon their return, Montoya stated that her primary concern was their emotional and psychological recovery, particularly her daughter's.
Simultaneously, the young girl, from Colombia after the deportation, sent a message of encouragement to other children still in Dilley, expressing that she understood the sadness and feeling that “they won’t get out.” She reassured them that she managed to leave, implying “you will get out too.”
The documentation of Montoya and her daughter’s story highlights the impact of immigration policies and detention systems on vulnerable individuals, noting their prolonged stay in ICE facilities.
Impact of Immigration Policies on Families
What initiated the detention of Maria Alejandra Montoya and her daughter?
Their detention began with their arrest at Miami International Airport on October 2, 2025, as they were entering the U.S. for a planned vacation to Disney World.
How long were Montoya and her daughter detained in ICE facilities?
They were detained for a total of 128 days in ICE facilities before being deported back to Colombia.
What were the living conditions like in the detention center?
Montoya described the detention center as having “boxes with windows” and an oppressive environment filled with children. She noted practices she considered inhumane, like yelling and strict commands.
Why was Montoya's daughter considered “inadmissible” by the authorities?
Authorities deemed her daughter inadmissible, suggesting that Montoya should self-deport with her child or face detention. Montoya was in the process of changing her status through marriage to a U.S. citizen.