Sanctuary of the South

Human rights organizations are demanding the release of a nursing mother detained by ICE in Louisiana since May, alleging violations of ICE's policies against detaining pregnant or nursing parents. The woman, breastfeeding two children including a toddler with Down Syndrome, has a pending asylum claim and no criminal record. The Department of Homeland Security claims she left her children with an adult during her arrest, which advocates dispute.

Human rights organizations have filed a complaint against ICE for detaining a breastfeeding mother of two young children since May, alleging violations of ICE's own policies against detaining nursing parents. The mother, with a pending asylum claim and no criminal record, is held in Louisiana 700 miles from Nashville, separated from her infant and toddler, one of whom has Down Syndrome and medical issues.

A Nashville mother, identified as Maria Perez, was detained by ICE while breastfeeding her 10-month-old child, violating ICE's 2021 policy prohibiting detention of nursing mothers unless they pose a national security threat. Her attorneys argue the arrest lacked a warrant, probable cause, and was racially motivated, as agents detained her instead of her husband and transferred her to Louisiana, where bond hearings are not available in her jurisdiction.