US lawmaker sounds alarm over health, immigration status of detained baby and mother

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Rep. Joaquin Castro voiced concern Tuesday over the condition and immigration case of a 2‑month‑old baby and his mother held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dilley, Texas.

Castro said he and his team have been in contact with the family and that the infant, who his mother said has bronchitis, became unresponsive “at some point in the last several hours."

"Juan was still discharged from the hospital despite that around midnight today," Castro said on the US social media company X’s platform.

Castro said the baby's mother appeared before an immigration judge Tuesday morning and was informed that she will be deported, though she was not told when or to what country.

"Both Juan and his mom are back at Dilley and their future remains uncertain. We are all deeply concerned that Juan and his mom will be deported and that Juan’s health will continue to deteriorate," he added.

Castro also criticized ICE, saying: “His life is in danger because of ICE’s monstrous cruelty."

ICE and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have faced intense scrutiny after federal agents killed two US citizens in January during immigration enforcement operations in the state of Minnesota, sparking protests and calls for accountability.