An 18-month-old girl detained for weeks by United States immigration authorities has been released along with her parents after a lawsuit alleged she was returned to custody and denied medication following hospitalisation for a life-threatening respiratory illness.
According to a lawsuit filed in a federal court in Texas, the child, identified as Amalia, was detained with her parents during a routine immigration check-in on December 11 and held at a facility in Dilley, Texas. The case was first reported by Reuters.
Hospitalisation and return to detention
Court filings state that Amalia was hospitalised from January 18 to 28 after developing a severe respiratory condition. Despite her condition, she was allegedly returned to the Dilley detention facility while a measles outbreak was ongoing. The lawsuit claims she was denied prescribed medication and adequate follow-up care.
“Baby Amalia should never have been detained. She nearly died at Dilley,” said Elora Mukherjee, an attorney representing the family.
Conditions at detention centre questioned
Mukherjee told the court that hundreds of children and families held at the Dilley facility lacked access to sufficient drinking water, nutritious food, education and proper medical attention. The lawsuit argued that the detention of young children under such conditions violates basic standards of care and safety.
The legal action sought the immediate release of Amalia and her parents. Immigration authorities released all three on Friday, shortly after the suit was filed.
Official response awaited
The US Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit has intensified criticism of immigration enforcement practices under former President Donald Trump, particularly allegations of harsh detention conditions and violations of court orders during mass deportation efforts.
The case has renewed debate in the US over the detention of minors and the treatment of families held in immigration custody.