This week, a story detailed the experiences of families held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, the nation’s only facility detaining immigrant families. The reporting included interviews with parents and children and featured letters from children describing life inside the center.
A Planned Vacation Interrupted
Among those who shared their story was 9-year-old Maria Antonia Guerra Montoya of Colombia. Maria Antonia communicated her experience through a handwritten letter, decorated with rainbows, hearts, and a drawing of herself and her mother in their detention uniforms. She and her mother, Maria Alejandra Montoya, had planned a vacation to Disney World, but instead found themselves in “Dilleylandia,” as Maria Antonia described it.
Maria Antonia regularly traveled between Colombia and the United States to visit her mother, who had been living in the U.S. Since 2018. In August, the family enjoyed a vacation together at Disney World. Maria Antonia was so delighted that she asked her mother to return for the Halloween celebration.
Detention and Uncertainty
On October 2, while arriving at the Miami International Airport for their planned 10-day vacation, Maria Antonia and her mother were intercepted by immigration officers. They were questioned separately for hours, with Maria Antonia stating she repeatedly offered only basic information: her name, birthday, her mother’s name and birthday, and their country of origin. Their phones were confiscated, and they were unable to contact Maria Antonia’s stepdad, who was waiting for them at the airport.
After 42 hours in airport holding rooms, Maria Antonia and her mother were transported to the Dilley facility in Texas. Maria Antonia recalled not understanding where they were going until she saw the center from the minivan. During their nearly four months in detention, Maria Antonia fainted twice, and her diet consisted primarily of beans, as she is vegetarian. She missed school and expressed concerns about being separated from her mother, fearing that if she were 10 years old, she could be separated.
Maria Alejandra shared concerns with reporters about her and her daughter’s deteriorating mental and physical health. She reported that Maria Antonia experienced nightmares, fearing she would never leave or be separated from her mother.
Return to Colombia
On January 6, an immigration judge granted Maria Alejandra and Maria Antonia “voluntary departure,” allowing them to return to Colombia at their own expense while continuing to pursue a green card application. However, they were not sent back until February 6.
Upon returning to Colombia, Maria Antonia’s first act was to discard the government-issued sweatsuit she had worn for months. A video showed her joyfully reuniting with her teachers and friends at school, embraced by classmates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long were Maria Antonia and her mother detained?
Maria Antonia and her mother were detained for nearly four months.
What was the initial reason for their detention?
Maria Alejandra had overstayed a tourist visa, but was in the process of applying for a green card after marrying a U.S. Citizen. The reason for their detention was not immediately clear to them.
What did Maria Antonia seek to do when she returned to Colombia?
The first thing Maria Antonia wanted to do was throw out the government-issued sweatsuit she had been wearing for months.
What are the long-term effects of detention on children like Maria Antonia?
