Federal Judges Order Release of Long-Term DACA and Immigrant Detainees in US

Federal Judge Kathleen Cardone has ordered the immediate release of Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who has been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since August. The judge ruled that Santiago's detention violates her constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, noting that the Trump administration failed to provide evidence that she poses any danger or flight risk during her 20 years in the U.S., including 13 years under DACA protection. ICE was given a deadline to release Santiago by October 2 and to notify the court of her release. Santiago was detained despite having valid work authorization and protection from deportation under DACA, and an immigration judge previously terminated deportation proceedings against her. Separately, in New Jersey, another federal judge ordered the release of Diana M. Rivera Zumba, ruling that her detention violated immigration law and constitutional due process, highlighting ongoing legal challenges regarding immigration detention policies under the current administration.