Full Breakdown
ICE Detains DACA Recipient Juan Chavez Velasco While His Newborn Daughter Remains Hospitalized
3/20/2026, 3:39:49 PM
Incident Overview: Detention of Juan Chavez Velasco
On February 18, 2026, Juan Chavez Velasco, a 35-year-old father of three and a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Weslaco, Texas. He was en route to deliver milk to his newborn daughter, Elianna, who was receiving treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit after being born prematurely. Chavez Velasco was taken into custody despite informing the agents of his DACA status and his family situation, which includes a U.S.-citizen wife, Stephanie Villarreal, and three children. He was subsequently transported to the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo.
Background: Immigration History and DACA Enrollment
Chavez Velasco's family entered the United States from Colombia in 1999 on a tourist visa, later applying for asylum, which 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 faced a lengthy wait to adjust his status as a sibling of a U.S. citizen, which can take 15-20 years. He enrolled in DACA in 2012, allowing him to work legally and avoid deportation, but his renewal application submitted in November 2025 went unanswered, leading to the expiration of his DACA status on March 10, 2026, while he was already in custody.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Chavez Velasco is classified as an "illegal alien" and emphasized that DACA does not confer legal status, making recipients subject to deportation. The spokesperson remarked, “Illegal aliens who claim to be recipients of DACA are not automatically protected from deportations.” In contrast, Chavez Velasco's attorney, Jodi Goodwin, expressed skepticism about the fairness of the situation, 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.”
Criticism & Opposition: Concerns Over DACA Enforcement
The detention of Chavez Velasco has raised concerns among immigration advocates and attorneys regarding the treatment of DACA recipients under the Trump administration. Critics argue that the administration has redefined the meaning of deferred action, leading to increased arrests of individuals who believed they were protected. Goodwin warned that the case exemplifies a broader trend, stating, “DACA holders beware! Trump is coming for you, too.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “More importantly, she needs her father here during this critical time in her life.” — Stephanie Villarreal
- “He has no criminal history. Never has had any type of criminal history,” — Stephanie Villarreal
- “Being in detention is a choice,” — DHS Spokesperson
What's Next: Legal and Congressional Efforts
Chavez Velasco's legal team is pursuing options for renewing his DACA status and seeking congressional assistance to prevent his deportation. Goodwin indicated that the family is exploring various legal strategies to keep him in the U.S. with his family, emphasizing the urgency of their situation as they await a decision from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding his DACA application.
The case of Juan Chavez Velasco highlights ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement and the protections afforded to DACA recipients, raising questions about the future of individuals in similar circumstances.
