A family in Oregon experienced a harrowing ordeal when they were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while attempting to seek urgent medical attention for their young daughter. The incident has raised serious concerns about immigration enforcement practices and their impact on vulnerable families.
Medical Emergency Leads to Detention
Seven-year-old Diana Crespo suffered from a persistent nosebleed throughout the night, prompting her parents, Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo and Yohendry De Jesus Crespo, to take her to Portland Adventist Health in Oregon the following morning. As the family arrived at the medical facility, ICE agents intercepted them in the parking lot before they could enter the building to see a doctor.
Family friend Stephanie Melendez, who organized a GoFundMe campaign for the family, reported that ICE agents forcibly removed the family from their vehicle. 'They are being held without money and urgently need help to cover lawyers, food, and everything else while they are detained by ICE,' Melendez stated. The fundraiser has since garnered significant support, raising over $10,900 to assist the detained family.
Family Background and Legal Status
The Crespo family migrated from Venezuela approximately one year ago, entering the United States through a designated port of entry in California after securing an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. According to family friend Ana Linares, the family has a pending asylum application and possesses valid work permits that authorize them to be employed legally within the country.
Darianny's sister explained that the family chose to leave Venezuela due to fears of government reprisals, a sentiment shared by many who have emigrated from the country. 'Most of us who left, who emigrated, did so because of that fear,' she revealed. The family initially resided in Utah before relocating to Gresham, Oregon, to join Linares as immigration enforcement measures intensified.
Current Situation and Location
The Crespo family is currently being held at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. This is the same facility that previously detained five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who gained national attention after being apprehended by agents in Minnesota while wearing a Spider-Man backpack. Yohendry's sister attempted to visit the family at the detention center but was denied access.
Despite their detention, the family has managed to communicate by telephone on two occasions. During these calls, they informed Linares that Diana had been suffering from a fever for two days prior to finally receiving medical attention on Wednesday. Oregon Representative Ricki Ruiz confirmed that Diana eventually obtained the necessary medical care, though he emphasized that no child should endure such circumstances.
Community and Political Response
The detention has provoked strong reactions from immigrant rights advocates and political representatives. Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition coordinator Alyssa Walker Keller described the incident as 'horrific' and expressed concern about this 'new unsettling dynamic' of family unit detentions occurring in Oregon. Keller also highlighted worries about the location of the detention, referencing a previous incident where two individuals were shot by federal agents while attempting to access medical care at the same health center.
Oregon Representative Ricki Ruiz voiced his dismay on social media, stating: 'Diana and Liam do not deserve to be detained. It is our understanding that they are both in the same detention center in South Texas. They should be home. They should be in class. They should be safe, supported, and allowed to simply be children.' He further argued that the immigration system should never compromise a child's health, dignity, or sense of safety.
The Oregon Nurses Association issued a statement condemning the situation as 'alarming, chilling, and deeply shameful.' The union emphasized that 'no parent should ever be forced to weigh their child’s health against the risk of detention.'
Broader Implications and Advocacy
This case underscores ongoing debates about immigration enforcement practices and their impact on families seeking asylum. Representative Ruiz pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely and advocating for the family's right to care, dignity, and due process. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the treatment of immigrant families within the U.S. immigration system and the need for compassionate policies that prioritize children's wellbeing.
As the Crespo family awaits resolution of their asylum application, their story has drawn attention to the challenges faced by many immigrant families navigating complex legal processes while dealing with medical emergencies and enforcement actions.
