9-year-old asylum-seeker released from ICE detention to attend state spelling bee
Mar 25, 2026 · Las Cruces, NM, Colombia

Deiver Henao Jimenez, a 9-year-old asylum-seeker from Colombia, was detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas with his parents beginning in early March after a routine immigration check-in. Community activists launched advocacy efforts calling for his release so he could return to school and compete in his state spelling bee. After pleading during a video call with children's entertainer Ms. Rachel, ICE released the family on humanitarian parole in late March, allowing Deiver to attend the competition.
Timeline
Mar 25, 2026—ICE releases family on humanitarian parole after Deiver pleads during video call with Ms. Rachel, enabling him to attend state spelling bee
Mar 1, 2026—Deiver Henao Jimenez and his parents detained at Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas following routine immigration check-in
Jan 24, 2026—Community activists post on social media calling for Deiver's release to allow him to attend school and participate in spelling bee
Sources
More incidents in New Mexico
- Woman detained by ICE while baby on oxygen sat in back seatAug 20, 2026 · Santa Fe, NM
- Father with U visa detained by ICE outside Santa Fe clinic while taking child to doctorAug 20, 2026 · Santa Fe, NM
- Grandmother detained by ICE while heading to infant's medical appointment in Santa FeAug 19, 2026 · Santa Fe, NM
- Grandfather detained seven months by ICE, missed daughter's birth and granddaughter's arrivalAug 4, 2026 · Los Lunas, NM
- Iranian detainee Houman Rashidy ordered released after 13 months in custody, judge grants habeas reliefJul 27, 2026 · Torrance County, NM
- Green card holder Martha Sias arrested by ICE in Chaparral after viral detention videoJul 16, 2026 · Chaparral, NM