This past Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released an official statement revealing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer against Meliza Campos Sánchez. This 26-year-old Cuban woman was arrested in Miami-Dade County on charges of arson, child abuse, and negligence after she poured melted wax on one of her daughters and set her kitchen on fire.
The DHS statement indicated that the detainer was filed with the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami to prevent local authorities from releasing the accused before ICE can take her into federal custody.
ICE's Firm Stance on the Case
"This unlawful Cuban immigrant is facing charges of child abuse and arson after pouring hot wax on one of her own children and setting her home ablaze," a DHS spokesperson stated.
"ICE has lodged a detainer requesting Miami authorities not to release this criminal from jail. We will work alongside our partners in Florida to ensure she is deported once she faces justice," the spokesperson added.
The agency reported that Campos Sánchez entered the United States illegally through Florida in May 2022 and used the statement to hold the Biden administration accountable for her presence in the country.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 16, at a residence in the 4200 block of Southwest 95th Avenue. Firefighters and Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about an intentional fire in the kitchen of the property.
Upon arrival, Campos Sánchez was found at the scene. According to the police report, she used a lighter to ignite a piece of clothing doused with a flammable liquid while her two daughters — aged three and six — were inside the home. It was the older daughter who extinguished the flames using a container of water.
Authorities also discovered two videos that the accused had posted on her Instagram account. One video showed her pouring melted wax on her own leg and then on her daughter's hands; the other depicted her singing and dancing in the kitchen before setting the clothing on fire.
In one of these videos, while applying the hot wax, Campos Sánchez told her daughter, "The fears you're feeling today will be your strength tomorrow." The child replied, "That burns."
Legal Proceedings and Custody Arrangements
Following her arrest, Campos Sánchez was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation under Florida's Baker Act, which allows involuntary hospitalization for up to 72 hours for individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others, before being booked into jail on Monday, August 17.
A judge ordered her held without bail and appointed a public defender for her.
She faces charges of first-degree arson, child abuse, and two counts of child neglect.
Her two daughters have been placed under the custody of their father, Yusniel Cue, who stated that he had been separated from Meliza for about a week. He alerted authorities after receiving the hot wax video from acquaintances of the accused.
ICE issued the immigration detainer the day after the arrest. The DHS categorized the case under the "Miami Menace" label, a term used in their communications to highlight cases involving illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes in Miami.
This case arises amid a surge in ICE activities in South Florida. The Miami office has conducted over 41,000 detentions since January 2025, making it the most active in the nation, with arrests of Cubans skyrocketing by 463% since the end of 2024.
Understanding ICE Operations and Legal Procedures
What is an ICE detainer?
An ICE detainer is a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to local law enforcement agencies to hold a detainee for up to 48 hours beyond their release date to allow ICE to take custody for immigration proceedings.
What is the Baker Act in Florida?
The Baker Act is a Florida law that allows for involuntary mental health examination and, if necessary, hospitalization for up to 72 hours for individuals who are considered a danger to themselves or others.