HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

Nursing Guatemalan mother detained by ICE in Nashville, reunited with daughters after 3 months

May 19, 2025·Location: Nashville, TN

Country of origin: Guatemala

Nursing Guatemalan mother detained by ICE in Nashville, reunited with daughters after 3 months

A Guatemalan-born mother, identified by the pseudonym Maria Perez to protect her identity, was detained by ICE at her Nashville residence on May 19 while preparing to take her children to a doctor's appointment. At the time, Perez was breastfeeding her infant daughter and caring for another young daughter who has Down syndrome and other health complications. Her attorneys say her detention at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center violated ICE Directive 11032.4, which discourages detaining pregnant, postpartum, or nursing people, and that she has no criminal history despite ICE's claim she previously faced charges for falsely claiming citizenship. Perez was released on Aug. 14 after nearly three months in custody, was placed on electronic monitoring, and continues to pursue her asylum application.

Suggest a correction, comment, or update

Sources

More incidents in Tennessee