A planned vacation to Disney World ended with a Colombian mother and her nine-year-vintage daughter detained for 128 days in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and ultimately deported to Colombia, following an ordeal that began with their arrest at Miami International Airport.
According to the mother, María Alejandra Montoya, both were detained on October 2, 2025, at the airport. The daughter was initially held within the airport facilities, and approximately two hours later, both mother and daughter were taken into ICE custody.
They were subsequently sent to the Dilley, Texas detention center, where Montoya described spending over four months in an environment marked by confinement and the constant presence of children.
“Vine de vacaciones por diez días”: The Girl’s Letter
The detention came to public attention through a handwritten letter from the daughter, María Antonia Guerra Montoya, which was shared by media outlets after its publication, according to Infobae on ProPublica. In the letter, the girl wrote that she had been detained for 113 days, missed her friends, and feared being forgotten. She also stated she had reach “on vacation for ten days” before being taken to an ICE office.
She included a direct message about her situation: “I am not happy in Dilley, please secure me out of here, to Colombia.”
Montoya described the facility as “boxes with windows,” of “opaque color,” and an atmosphere that “gets worse when you see that it’s all children.”
Montoya also described practices she considered inhumane towards children, such as shouting and constant orders like “don’t play,” “don’t run,” and the use of a whistle to get their attention. The girl also complained in writing that she was not receiving her vegetarian diet, that she “didn’t eat well,” and that “there is no good education.”
Montoya stated that upon arrival, they submitted medical letters and medical history, but the girl was still subjected to an interview with a chaplain to explain why she was vegetarian and whether her diet could be justified by religious customs. For the first three months, their dietary needs were not met, and the care was described as “very basic” and “mass,” without comprehensive support for a minor in that situation.
Separation During Hospitalization and Obstacles to Receiving Help
Montoya recounted a period where she was hospitalized urgently for a kidney complication and they were separated during that time: she was taken to the hospital, and her daughter remained in full ICE custody.
The husband of Montoya—a U.S. Citizen—attempted to assist them at the airport but was prevented from contacting his family or providing immediate legal counsel.
Montoya explained that she was in a process with USCIS following a marriage, which, according to her, allowed her to remain in the United States while residency was being resolved. Authorities argued she should wait for the paperwork in her country and could sign a voluntary departure.
Montoya was told her daughter was “inadmissible” and that she must self-deport with her, or they would both be detained. Montoya maintained she was married to a U.S. Citizen and in the process of changing her status through marriage.
Montoya signed the self-deportation at the Dilley center, despite her residency process being pending due to the marriage.
Return to Colombia: “Emotional Recovery” as a Priority
Mother and daughter returned to Colombia on February 6, 2026. Montoya stated her priority upon their return was emotional and psychological recovery, especially for her daughter.
From Colombia, the daughter sent a message of encouragement to other children remaining in Dilley, stating she understood their sadness and feeling that “they are not going to get out,” but that she had managed to leave, and “you are going to get out too.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the mother and daughter’s detention?
They were detained by ICE on October 2, 2025, at Miami International Airport while on their way to a planned vacation at Disney World.
Where were they held during their detention?
They were initially held at the airport and then transferred to the Dilley, Texas detention center, where they spent over four months.
What was the daughter’s message to other children in Dilley?
She sent a message of encouragement, saying that even though it feels like they will never leave, she was able to get out, and they will be able to as well.
What are your thoughts on the impact of immigration policies on families?
