Leukemia-Stricken Boy Detained and Threatened with Deportation

Key Takeaways

• A 6-year-old boy with leukemia and family arrested May 29, 2025, at LA immigration court after asylum dismissal.
• Detained at Texas Dilley Center, the boy missed critical medical leukemia treatment, prompting a federal lawsuit on June 25, 2025.
• ICE and DHS must respond by July 1, 2025; no public reply received as of July 3, 2025.

A 6-year-old boy with leukemia and his family are at the center of a growing national debate about immigration detention and deportation in the United States 🇺🇸. The family, originally from Honduras, was arrested at a Los Angeles immigration court on May 29, 2025, after their asylum case was unexpectedly dismissed. Since then, they have been held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, where the boy has missed critical medical appointments for his leukemia. Their story has sparked concern among legal experts, advocacy groups, and the wider public, raising urgent questions about the treatment of vulnerable immigrants under current U.S. policies.

Who is involved?
The family consists of a Honduran mother and her two children, ages 6 and 9. The younger child, a boy, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia—a serious blood cancer that needs regular medical care. They entered the United States 🇺🇸 legally in October 2024 through the CBP One App, a government tool that allowed certain migrants to schedule appointments at the border. After being paroled into the country, they settled in Los Angeles with relatives and began the asylum process.

What happened?
On May 29, 2025, the family attended a scheduled asylum hearing at the Los Angeles Immigration Court. The judge unexpectedly dismissed their case, and despite the mother’s request to continue, the dismissal stood. As they left the courtroom, plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested them in the hallway. The family was detained for hours, during which the 6-year-old boy, frightened and overwhelmed, urinated on himself and was not given a change of clothes.

Where are they now?
The family was transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, about 90 minutes southwest of San Antonio. This facility has previously faced criticism for its medical care standards, including the death of a toddler in 2018.

Why is this case important?
The boy’s medical condition makes this case especially urgent. Missing leukemia treatments can lead to relapse or life-threatening complications. The family’s legal team, including the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), RAICES, and the Immigrant Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, filed a federal lawsuit on June 25, 2025, alleging constitutional rights violations and inadequate medical care. As of July 3, 2025, the boy has missed at least one critical medical appointment, and both children are experiencing severe distress.

How are authorities responding?
A federal judge ordered ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to respond to the lawsuit by July 1, 2025. As of the latest update, ICE and DHS have not provided a public response or released the family.

The Arrest and Detention: Step-by-Step

1. Legal Entry: The family entered the United States 🇺🇸 legally in October 2024 using the CBP One App, which was later discontinued.
2. Asylum Application: They filed for asylum and lived in Los Angeles while waiting for their court date.
3. Court Hearing: On May 29, 2025, their asylum case was dismissed in court.
4. Immediate Arrest: ICE agents arrested the family in the courthouse hallway right after the hearing.
5. Detention Conditions: The family was held for hours without proper care, then transported to the Dilley facility in Texas.
6. Missed Medical Care: The boy with leukemia missed at least one essential medical appointment.
7. Legal Action: A federal lawsuit was filed on June 25, 2025, challenging the detention and care provided.

Policy Changes and the Bigger Picture

Recent changes in U.S. immigration policy have made cases like this more common. Under the Trump administration’s Project 2025 plan, several key changes have been proposed or implemented:

• Sensitive Zone Protections Removed: ICE can now conduct arrests in places like schools, hospitals, and religious institutions, which were previously considered off-limits.
• Expedited Removal: The government can deport people more quickly, often without a judge reviewing the case.
• Ending Relief Programs: The plan aims to end programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and special visas for crime victims (T and U visas).
• Restricting Family-Based Immigration: There are proposals to end the Diversity Visa Lottery and limit family-based immigration, shifting toward a system that favors certain skills or education.
• Courthouse Arrests: New ICE directives target courthouses for enforcement, which is being challenged in court for the first time by this family’s lawsuit.

Many of these policies are facing legal challenges. For example, a federal court has temporarily blocked an order on birthright citizenship. However, the administration continues to push for stricter enforcement and fewer protections for asylum seekers.

The Family’s Experience in Detention

The family’s time in detention has been marked by distress and uncertainty:

• Medical Neglect: The boy with leukemia has not received the regular monitoring and treatment he needs. According to the lawsuit, the Dilley facility has a history of poor medical care, including a child’s death in 2018.
• Emotional Trauma: Both children have been crying daily, have lost their appetite, and are praying for release. Their mother reports that her son’s leukemia has not been checked for days.
• Community Impact: Before their arrest, the family was active in their Los Angeles community, attending school and church. Their sudden detention has caused fear among other immigrant families.

Legal and advocacy groups are urgently seeking the boy’s release so he can get proper medical care, but as of July 3, 2025, their requests have not been granted.

Legal and Advocacy Perspectives

Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP):
TCRP, representing the family, stresses that they followed all legal procedures and are now facing inhumane treatment. The group argues that detaining a boy with leukemia in these conditions violates both U.S. law and international human rights standards.

RAICES:
RAICES, co-counsel on the case, points to the Dilley facility’s poor track record with medical care and the urgent need for the boy’s release.

Immigrant Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School:
Director Elora Mukherjee has described the trauma experienced by the children and the wider impact on the community, saying that courthouse arrests and family detention create fear and instability.

ICE and DHS:
As of July 3, 2025, ICE and DHS have not made a public statement about the lawsuit or the family’s detention.

Policy Implications and Expert Analysis

This case shows the real-life effects of recent immigration policy changes:

• Reduced Protections: With the removal of sensitive zone protections and increased courthouse arrests, families seeking asylum face greater risks of detention and deportation.
• Medical and Humanitarian Concerns: Experts warn that detaining children with serious illnesses can violate both U.S. constitutional protections and international agreements on the rights of children.
• Legal Uncertainty: The family’s asylum case was dismissed despite their legal entry and application, leaving them with few options and at risk of deportation.
• Community Disruption: The detention of a family that was active in their community has caused fear among other immigrants and drawn public attention to the issue.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these policy changes have led to more families being detained and facing deportation, even when they have followed all legal steps.

Quantitative Data

• Date of Arrest: May 29, 2025
• Date of Lawsuit Filing: June 25, 2025
• Court Order Deadline: July 1, 2025
• Duration of Detention: Over one month as of July 3, 2025
• Missed Medical Appointments: At least one critical appointment for leukemia treatment
• Previous Death at Dilley: A toddler died at the facility in 2018 due to poor medical care

What Happens Next?

The family’s future depends on several key steps:

1. Legal Response: ICE and DHS must answer the federal lawsuit by the court-ordered deadline.
2. Court Hearings: Further hearings will decide if the family will be released or deported.
3. Medical Advocacy: Legal and advocacy groups are pushing for the boy’s immediate release for medical treatment.
4. Policy Challenges: Organizations are working to challenge the new enforcement policies and prevent similar cases.

Broader Historical Context

Family Detention in the U.S.:
The United States 🇺🇸 has a long history of detaining families with children, often in facilities criticized for poor conditions and inadequate medical care. The death of a toddler at Dilley in 2018 is a reminder of the risks involved.

Asylum Seekers from Central America:
Many families fleeing violence in Central America have sought asylum in the United States 🇺🇸. Recent policy changes have made it much harder for them to get protection, increasing the risk of detention and deportation.

Project 2025:
This policy plan proposes sweeping changes, including ending protections for vulnerable groups and expanding enforcement powers. If fully implemented, more families could face situations like the one described here.

Multiple Perspectives

Advocates:
Legal and human rights groups argue that detaining a boy with leukemia violates both U.S. and international law. They say courthouse arrests and family detention cause trauma and deny due process.

Government:
Officials say strict enforcement is needed to protect national security and uphold immigration laws. They argue that they are acting within their legal authority to detain and remove people whose asylum claims have been dismissed.

Community:
The family’s integration into their Los Angeles community highlights the human cost of these policies. Their detention has sparked public outcry and calls for reform.

Practical Guidance for Affected Families

If you or someone you know is facing similar circumstances:

• Seek Legal Help: Contact organizations like the Texas Civil Rights Project, RAICES, or the Immigrant Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School for legal support.
• Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights during immigration proceedings and detention. The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website provides information on asylum and related protections.
• Document Medical Needs: If a family member has a serious medical condition, keep detailed records and share them with legal counsel.
• Community Support: Reach out to local community groups, churches, or advocacy organizations for emotional and practical support.

Conclusion

The case of the boy with leukemia held in immigration detention and threatened with deportation shows the real-life impact of recent U.S. immigration policies. Despite entering the country legally and following all required steps, the family now faces an uncertain future, with the boy’s health at risk and both children suffering emotionally. Legal and advocacy groups are fighting for their release and challenging the policies that led to their detention. The outcome of their case could set an important precedent for how vulnerable immigrants are treated in the United States 🇺🇸.

For families, advocates, and policymakers, this case is a reminder of the urgent need for humane and fair immigration policies that protect the most vulnerable. As the legal process continues, many will be watching to see if the boy with leukemia and his family will get the care and protection they need—or if they will be deported despite their desperate situation.

Learn Today

Leukemia → A serious blood cancer requiring ongoing medical treatment and monitoring, especially critical for children.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → U.S. federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and detention of individuals.
Asylum → Protection granted to migrants fleeing persecution or danger in their home countries, pending legal review.
CBP One App → A government tool formerly used for legal scheduling of border appointments by migrants.
Dilley Immigration Processing Center → A detention facility in Texas criticized for poor medical care and housing immigrant families.

This Article in a Nutshell

A Honduran family was detained after their asylum case dismissal, with a 6-year-old leukemia patient missing critical treatment. Advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit in June 2025. The case highlights risks for vulnerable immigrants and challenges new ICE courthouse arrest policies under Project 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com