Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago enjoyed her freedom again in El Paso for the first time since August.
Santiago, an immigration advocate and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, was released from an ICE Detention Center around 4:40 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, her mother-in-law, Kathy Hernandez, confirmed to the El Paso Times.
She was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Aug. 3 at the El Paso International Airport, despite presenting a valid work authorization card. Santago was placed in an ICE detention center and placed on a fast track for deportation by the Trump administration.
“We have been waiting for this day,” Hernandez said. “We are so happy.”
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone ruled publicly earlier in the day that ICE must release Santiago. This was a rare victory for migrants who have been detained by federal officials as part of Trump’s campaign to deport immigrants from the U.S.
El Paso supporters have been calling for Santiago’s release for months.
Cardone found that government attorneys “did not present any evidence indicating that Santiago has endangered anyone during her 20 years at liberty, including her 13 years under DACA. Tellingly, they have failed to even articulate an individualized reason for which she should be detained,” according to court documents.
Cardone heard a habeas petition on Sept. 23, challenging the ongoing detention of Santiago, but declined to announce her decision from the bench.
“It is undisputed that Santiago is currently protected by DACA until April 2026. Respondents concede that even if they were to obtain a final removal order against her, they would not be able to execute it until her DACA expires without renewal or her DACA is terminated pursuant to proper procedures,” court documents said.
Desiree Miller, Santiago’s partner and diehard advocate, had complained ICE officials were holding Santiago for “no good reason.”
Trump administration challenged on DACA arrest
The Trump administration said Santiago had been arrested and set for deportation over charges of “trespassing, possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.” Santiago’s friends and family denounced the accusations levied against her.
After the hearing before Cardone a week ago to consider a petition for immediate release, Miller decried the crisis many migrants are facing in the U.S.
“I think that the people (and) all the support that we received for Xóchitl is for her because of how great of a person she is, but also because so many people understand what is happening in the country right now,” Miller said. “And that it’s not correct (what is happening). I hope that they see all of the support that Xóchitl is receiving and also understand that it’s support for every single person who’s being detained right now.”
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: DACA recipient ‘Xóchitl’ Santiago released from ICE detention center after federal ruling
Reporting by Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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