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Pregnant Colombian asylum seeker held over 40 days at Dilley after fake lawyer scam

Aug 20, 2026

Pregnant Colombian asylum seeker held over 40 days at Dilley after fake lawyer scam
Photo via Instagram

Maria Alejandra Gomez-Quiroz, a 21-year-old pregnant Colombian woman, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in June while fleeing violent guerrillas with her partner and planning to seek asylum. She was convicted of illegal entry on July 6 and has remained in ICE custody at the Dilley family detention facility in Texas for more than 40 days, now five months pregnant. Her sister, Kelly Ocampo, says the family paid more than $3,000 to someone posing as an immigration lawyer who sent a fraudulent letter on ICE letterhead falsely claiming Gomez-Quiroz's bond had been approved and she would be released. Ocampo says her sister has become 'very depressed' and has reported lower abdominal pain, while their mother is described as 'desperate.' DHS said Gomez-Quiroz remains in custody pending removal proceedings and disputed claims of inadequate medical care. She is one of at least 500 people detained at Dilley and one of four pregnant women held there, according to lawmakers.

Timeline

Aug 20, 2026—Family says she remains in ICE custody at Dilley over 40 days after paying $3,000 to a fake immigration lawyer who claimed her bond was approved
Aug 20, 2026—DHS states she remains in custody pending removal proceedings and disputes claims of inadequate medical care
Jul 6, 2026—Convicted of illegal entry
Jun 1, 2026—Arrested by U.S. Border Patrol at the border while fleeing violence in Colombia with her partner, intending to seek asylum
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