Full Breakdown
ICE Detains DACA Recipient Juan Chavez Velasco While His Newborn Daughter is Hospitalized
3/20/2026, 8:47:22 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 arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Weslaco, Texas. Chavez Velasco was en route to deliver milk to his newborn daughter, Elianna, who was receiving treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit for low red blood cell production. His wife, Stephanie Villarreal, a U.S. citizen, was on the phone with him during the arrest and described the incident as panic-inducing, with agents yelling at him to exit his vehicle. Despite informing the agents of his DACA status, they reportedly responded, “That doesn’t matter.”
Background: Chavez Velasco's Immigration Journey
Chavez Velasco was brought to the United States from Colombia by his parents in 1999, initially on a tourist visa. The family applied for asylum, which was denied in 2004, leading to a final removal order that was never enforced. In 2016, his parents secured legal residency through their U.S. citizen daughter, but Chavez Velasco faced a lengthy wait of 15-20 years to adjust his status as a sibling. He enrolled in DACA in 2012 and had been renewing his status every two years until his most recent application in November 2025 went unanswered, resulting in the expiration of his DACA status on March 10, 2026, while he was in custody.
Official Statements & Responses
A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) characterized Chavez Velasco as an “illegal alien” with a final order of removal from 2005, asserting that DACA does not confer legal status and that recipients may still be subject to deportation. They also suggested that being in detention is a choice and encouraged DACA recipients to self-deport for financial incentives. In contrast, Villarreal emphasized her husband’s clean criminal record and contributions to society, stating, “He did everything right.”
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. His attorney, Jodi Goodwin, expressed skepticism about the legal process, 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.” Additionally, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) highlighted concerns about the slow processing of DACA renewals, suggesting that such delays leave recipients vulnerable to arrest.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I never got to hold her” — Juan Chavez Velasco, DACA Recipient
- “More importantly, she needs her father here during this critical time in her life.” — Stephanie Villarreal, Wife of Juan Chavez Velasco
- “He has no criminal history. Never has had any type of criminal history,” — Stephanie Villarreal, Wife of Juan Chavez Velasco
- “I’m not asking for a free ride. I feel like a majority of people would agree that we deserve something because it wasn’t our fault to be here and because we love this country. We want to be here, we want to be part of this. We want to be Americans, because we’re Americans at heart.” — Juan Chavez Velasco, DACA Recipient
What's Next: Legal and Legislative Efforts
Chavez Velasco's family is pursuing legal avenues to renew his DACA status and secure his release from detention. They are also seeking congressional assistance from various members of Congress. The outcome of these efforts remains uncertain as the family grapples with the emotional toll of separation during a critical time for their newborn daughter.
