Mother arrested 15 days after giving birth, denied basic care while recovering from cesarean
Feb 20, 2026
Nayra Guzmán, an immigrant from Mexico, was arrested by ICE agents in Cicero, Illinois, 15 days after undergoing a cesarean section. She was on her way to visit her newborn daughter, who remained in the NICU with complications from preeclampsia and unable to eat or breathe independently. Despite having a pending asylum application and work permits, Guzmán was detained for 34 hours in a facility intended for short stays. During her detention, she was denied basic postpartum care, including a breast pump and medical assessment for her Type 1 diabetes, and spent her first night without adequate bedding. Guzmán was arrested alongside her mother and brother. Her lawyers successfully petitioned for her release, citing concerns for both her and her daughter's health. The family was released on conditional bail.
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