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Nursing mother detained without breast pump, milk dries up during month-long custody

Feb 20, 2026 · Minnesota, El Salvador

Nursing mother detained without breast pump, milk dries up during month-long custody

Antonia Aguilar Maldonado, a mother of two from El Salvador, was arrested by ICE while on her way to work and detained at the Kandiyohi County Jail in Minnesota for nearly a month. Her 22-month-old child is still nursing and has acid reflux and allergies to other forms of milk. The jail was not equipped to house a nursing mother and did not have a breast pump upon her arrival, forcing her to manually express milk until the facility purchased one. By the time of her release, her breast milk had started to dry up. Her children were traumatized by her detention. Her attorney successfully argued for her release on bond of $10,000, paid by church members. She is now requesting voluntary departure.

Timeline

Feb 20, 2026Maldonado released on $10,000 bond paid by church members after attorney's successful argument; breast milk had begun to dry up by time of release
Jan 8, 2026Jail facility purchased breast pump after initial period without one
Dec 8, 2025Antonia Aguilar Maldonado arrested by ICE on her way to work and detained at Kandiyohi County Jail in Minnesota
Dec 8, 2025Jail determined to lack breast pump; Maldonado forced to manually express milk for her 22-month-old nursing child with acid reflux and milk allergies

Sources

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