Full Breakdown
ICE Detains DACA Recipient Juan Chavez Velasco Amid Family Crisis
3/20/2026, 1:20:26 AM
Incident Overview: Detention of Juan Chavez Velasco
On February 18, 2023, Juan Chavez Velasco, a 35-year-old medical laboratory scientist and DACA recipient, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Weslaco, Texas. At the time of his arrest, he was en route to deliver milk to his 12-day-old daughter, Elianna, who was receiving treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit for complications related to her premature birth. Chavez Velasco, who has lived in the U.S. since he was eight years old, was taken into custody despite informing the agents of his DACA status. He is now facing deportation to Colombia without having held his newborn daughter.
Background: Immigration Status and Family History
Chavez Velasco's family initially entered the U.S. on a tourist visa, which they overstayed, and subsequently applied for asylum—a request that was denied in 2004. Although a final removal order was issued in 2005, it was never enforced. In 2016, his parents secured legal residency through their U.S. citizen daughter, but Chavez Velasco could not adjust his status due to lengthy wait times for siblings of U.S. citizens. He enrolled in DACA in 2012, which provided him temporary protection from deportation and work authorization. However, his DACA status expired on March 10, 2023, while he was already in custody.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Chavez Velasco is considered an "illegal alien" and emphasized that DACA does not confer legal status, making recipients subject to deportation. The spokesperson further remarked that being in detention is a choice and encouraged DACA recipients to self-deport, offering financial incentives for doing so. In contrast, Chavez Velasco's wife, Stephanie Villarreal, expressed her belief that her husband has done everything right, highlighting his lack of a criminal history and his contributions to society.
Criticism & Opposition: Concerns Over DACA Enforcement
Chavez Velasco's case has drawn criticism from immigration advocates who argue that the Trump administration has intensified the targeting of DACA recipients. Jodi Goodwin, the family's attorney, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of their legal efforts, stating, "I don’t have a lot of faith in what we’re doing here, because I don’t have any faith in ICE whatsoever." Advocates have noted that delays in DACA renewal applications have left many recipients vulnerable to deportation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “More importantly, she needs her father here during this critical time in her life.” — Stephanie Villarreal
- “Illegal aliens who claim to be recipients of DACA are not automatically protected from deportations,” — DHS Spokesperson
What's Next: Legal and Congressional Efforts
The family is currently pursuing congressional assistance and exploring legal strategies to prevent Chavez Velasco's deportation. His attorney has indicated that the best outcome would be for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to renew his DACA status and for ICE to release him. The situation remains urgent, as the family fears that Chavez Velasco could be deported before a resolution is reached.
