ICE Detains 7-Year-Old Girl in Queens

In Queens, New York, a 7-year-old girl — a public school student in the city — was detained by ICE, as confirmed by a source close to her family. On Saturday morning, news surfaced that her mother had been taken to an ICE detention center in Texas, while her 19-year-old brother currently has custody of her, based on statements from officials in New Jersey.

City Councilman Shekar Krishnan expressed his concerns in an interview, stating, “I really don’t want my child to be taken to ICE detention like this. She should be preparing for school soon and shopping for supplies.”

This incident marks what is believed to be the first recorded case of ICE detaining a child under 18 in New York City, according to Krishnan.

The child’s name hasn’t been disclosed due to her age, but she attends Queens Public Schools 89. This isn’t the first time that ICE has detained a student in close proximity to a federal facility, as highlighted by a statement from a nonprofit news outlet.

While WPIX did not receive an immediate response from federal authorities about the detainment, a statement from the Department of Homeland Security indicated that the girl’s mother had entered the United States illegally from Ecuador in 2022.

Additionally, another student, Mamadu Diallo, was reported detained by ICE while attending an immigration hearing, as noted by city council member Lincoln Restler.

Other instances of NYC students facing ICE detainment have prompted New York City public schools to release a statement, emphasizing their commitment to stand by all students and support families in such situations. The statement mentioned a readiness to connect affected families with legal assistance and other resources.

New York Attorney General Letitia James took to social media to voice her disapproval, stating, “This administration is tearing apart families. It’s cruel, inhumane, and wrong.”