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Nursing mother of four ordered released after judge finds ICE violated detention policy

Jul 9, 2026 · Basile, LA, Mexico

Nursing mother of four ordered released after judge finds ICE violated detention policy

Karina Alvarez San Juan, a Mexican national who has lived in the U.S. since age 12, was arrested during a traffic stop in Florida on May 6, 2026, for an allegedly broken taillight. She is the mother of four U.S. citizen children and was nursing her youngest child, born on January 7, 2026, at the time of her arrest. ICE transferred her to South Louisiana Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana, where she remained detained for over three months. Her attorney Michelle Borton reported that conditions at the facility were inadequate, with detainees lacking sufficient clean water for basic hygiene including bathing and flushing toilets. San Juan alleged due process violations, including a cancelled bond hearing and a denied emergency motion without explanation. On July 8-9, 2026, U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph, a Trump appointee, ordered ICE to release her within five business days after finding that the agency violated its own Directive 11032.4, which prohibits detention of postpartum and nursing mothers unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist. ICE officials stated they had no additional evidence to justify her continued detention.

Timeline

Jul 8, 2026U.S. District Judge David C. Joseph orders ICE to release Alvarez San Juan within five business days, finding ICE violated its own detention policy prohibiting detention of nursing mothers
May 6, 2026Alvarez San Juan arrested during traffic stop in Florida for allegedly broken taillight; transferred to South Louisiana Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana
Jan 7, 2026Karina Alvarez San Juan gives birth to youngest child

Sources

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