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ICE detained Minnesota teen, lost him in Michigan shelter for over a week

Feb 22, 2026·Location: Minneapolis, MN

Country of origin: Ecuador

ICE detained Minnesota teen, lost him in Michigan shelter for over a week
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In early January 2026, 16-year-old Sebastian, an asylum-seeker from Ecuador, was detained by ICE agents in north Minneapolis. He was misclassified as an unaccompanied minor and transported to a Christian youth shelter in Michigan operated by Bethany Christian Services instead of standard immigration detention. Federal authorities lost track of his whereabouts for over a week while his family searched for him. His father and attorney conducted investigative work to locate him and secured his release through legal action.

Timeline

Jan 2026—ICE detained 16-year-old Sebastian in north Minneapolis; he was misclassified as unaccompanied minor and transported to Christian youth shelter in Michigan
Jan 2026—Federal authorities lost track of Sebastian's whereabouts for over a week; family and attorney began search to locate him
Jan 2026—Sebastian's father and attorney secured his release through legal action
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