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Two-year-old Kaleth stops eating for 12 days after family separated at ICE detention

Apr 2, 2026 · California

Two-year-old Kaleth stops eating for 12 days after family separated at ICE detention

Kaleth, a 2-year-old boy, was detained at Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas after his entire family reported to a routine ICE check-in appointment in California in March 2026. The family had never missed a required immigration appointment since seeking asylum in 2024. Kaleth's father was handcuffed and transferred to an adult detention facility in California, while Kaleth and his mother Joani were transported over 1,000 miles away to Dilley. Separated from his father, Kaleth became despondent and stopped eating for 12 days; facility staff attributed his refusal to eat to depression. When his mother tried to force him to eat, he vomited and eventually stopped having bowel movements. After two weeks in detention, ICE released Kaleth and his mother in April following legal intervention, reuniting them with his father. His legal representative reported that Kaleth had not eaten solid food during his entire detention; in the car from the airport, he devoured four packets of applesauce and has since recovered.

Timeline

Apr 2026After two weeks in custody and legal intervention by attorneys, Kaleth and his mother released from Dilley and reunited with his father
Mar 2026Kaleth, his mother Joani, and his father reported to routine ICE check-in appointment in California; father handcuffed and transferred to adult facility; Kaleth and mother transported to Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas
Mar 2026Kaleth stops eating after separation from father; develops fever, vomiting, and digestive issues; facility staff attribute refusal to eat to depression

Sources

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