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Venezuelan woman detained by ICE after cooperating with police in car crash

Daniela Portillo, a Venezuelan woman, called police and stayed at the scene after a crash in Polk County, but was detained by ICE and has been held in Louisiana for about two months.

Jun 8, 2026Polk County, FLCountry of origin: Venezuela

Venezuelan woman detained by ICE after cooperating with police in car crash
Photo via Instagram

Daniela Portillo, a Venezuelan woman living in Florida, called police and remained at the scene after another driver struck her car in Polk County on June 8 and allegedly fled. When a sheriff's deputy responded, he determined she was not a U.S. citizen and lacked legal residency; an immigration official confirmed her status and ICE issued a civil detainer. She was taken into custody and transferred to a migrant detention facility in Louisiana, where she has since been held for about two months. Her attorney said she has a pending asylum case with no final removal order. Portillo described the experience as 'traumatic,' 'devastating' and 'exhausting,' and her family said it felt like she was treated as a criminal despite cooperating with law enforcement and staying at the scene.

Timeline

Aug 2025—Portillo remained in detention for about two months while her pending asylum case continued without a final removal order.
Jun 8, 2025—Daniela Portillo was involved in a car crash in Polk County, Florida, and cooperated with responding police.
Jun 8, 2025—A sheriff's deputy determined Portillo was not a U.S. citizen; ICE confirmed her status and issued a civil detainer.
Jun 8, 2025—Portillo was detained and later transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana.
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