18-month-old hospitalized with respiratory illness at Dilley, medication withheld after discharge
Feb 7, 2026·Location: El Paso, TX
Country of origin: Venezuela

Amalia Arrieta, an 18-month-old from Venezuela, was detained with her mother Kheilin Valero Marcano following an ICE appointment in El Paso on December 11, 2025, and transferred to Dilley Immigration Processing Center. Over weeks, Amalia developed severe respiratory symptoms including high fevers, persistent cough, and dangerously low blood-oxygen levels (dropping to the 50s). On January 18, 2026, she was hospitalized at Methodist Children's Hospital in San Antonio for 10 days, diagnosed with pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, and respiratory distress. Upon discharge on January 28, doctors prescribed her a nebulizer, respiratory medications, and nutritional supplements. When ICE returned her to Dilley, detention staff allegedly confiscated her prescribed medications and breathing equipment. Her parents were forced to wait in daily outdoor lines to request treatment, often being denied. After lawyers filed an emergency habeas corpus petition in federal court, the family was released on either January 31 or February 7, 2026.
Timeline
Sources
- I Recognize the Look on Liam Ramos’s Face
The Atlantic·Mar 10, 2026·archived copy
- Toddler hospitalized with respiratory failure was returned to ICE detention and denied prescribed medication, lawsuit says
NBC News·Feb 9, 2026·archived copy
- 18-month-old girl hospitalized with respiratory failure in ICE detention, lawyers say
independent.co.uk·Feb 9, 2026·archived copy
- themirror.com
- Lawsuit Alleges 18-Month-Old Toddler, Returned to ICE Detention After Severe Illness, Denied Prescribed Medications
- Toddler returned to ICE detention after intensive care, was denied prescribed medication
- kravi.org
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