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Ecuadoran asylum seeker seized, transferred without medication, suffered seizures; judge sanctions ICE

Jan 22, 2026 · Portland, ME, Ecuador

Ecuadoran asylum seeker seized, transferred without medication, suffered seizures; judge sanctions ICE

An Ecuadoran woman seeking asylum was detained at Cumberland County Jail in Portland for five months. In January, ICE transferred her to Massachusetts without court authorization and then to Louisiana via air transport, removing her epilepsy medication despite knowing of her condition. During transfer she was shackled without food or bathroom access, and suffered multiple seizures in Louisiana while receiving no medication for days. U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin found ICE made false and misleading statements to the court, unlawfully detained her without a bond hearing, and deliberately disregarded her medical needs. The judge ordered her released, barred re-arrest, and ordered the government to pay her legal fees of approximately $15,000.

Timeline

Jan 22, 2026ICE transferred woman to Massachusetts without court authorization and epilepsy medication, then flew her to Louisiana shackled without food or bathroom access
Jan 22, 2026Woman suffered multiple seizures during transfer and in Louisiana; received no medication for days
Jan 22, 2026U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin sanctioned ICE for false statements, unlawful detention, and disregarding medical needs; ordered woman's release and barred re-arrest
Jan 22, 2026Judge ordered government to pay woman's legal fees of approximately $15,000
Aug 22, 2025Ecuadoran woman detained at Cumberland County Jail in Portland while asylum case pending

Sources

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