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ICE detains Chicago daycare teacher; federal judge rules detention illegal

Nov 6, 2025 · Chicago, IL, Colombia

ICE detains Chicago daycare teacher; federal judge rules detention illegal

On November 5, 2025, ICE agents detained Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano, a teacher at Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in Chicago's North Center neighborhood, during morning drop-off hours. According to DHS, officers conducted a traffic stop that led to a vehicle pursuit ending at the daycare facility. Agents entered and forcibly removed Galeano in front of children and parents, searching the facility. Galeano claimed to have work authorization and a pending asylum case, while DHS identified her as undocumented from Colombia. A federal judge subsequently ruled her mandatory detention illegal and ordered a bond hearing before an immigration judge. The incident prompted a rally of hundreds of community members and local officials demanding ICE stay out of schools and daycares.

Timeline

Nov 6, 2025Community rally held with hundreds of members demanding Galeano's release and that ICE stay out of schools and daycares
Nov 5, 2025ICE agents conducted traffic stop that led to vehicle pursuit ending at Rayito de Sol daycare; agents entered facility and detained teacher Diana Patricia Santillana Galeano in front of children and parents
Nov 5, 2025Federal judge ruled Galeano's mandatory detention illegal and ordered bond hearing before immigration judge

Sources

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