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Wisconsin mother of four re-detained by ICE despite judge's ruling, later granted bond

May 21, 2026·Location: Sheboygan Falls, WI

Country of origin: Mexico

Wisconsin mother of four re-detained by ICE despite judge's ruling, later granted bond
Photo via jsonline.com

Elvira Benitez-Suarez, 51, a Mexican-born woman who fled sexual assault and domestic violence in Mexico at age 15, has lived in Wisconsin for over 35 years and is the mother of four U.S. citizen children with no criminal record. An immigration judge previously ruled that deporting her would cause exceptional harm to her children, canceled her deportation order, and approved her green card application, leading to her release in December. On March 10, 2026, ICE agents detained her again during a routine check-in in Milwaukee after the Department of Homeland Security appealed the ruling on the final day allowed, transferring her to Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky. Her family and local activists held a press conference calling for her release, and her attorney filed a habeas petition. After more than two months in custody, a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the administration's mandatory detention policy opened the door to a bond hearing, and on May 21, 2026, an immigration judge granted her a $1,500 bond, though the government retained a 30-day window to appeal.

Timeline

May 21, 2026—Granted $1,500 bond by immigration judge following 6th Circuit ruling against mandatory detention policy
Mar 10, 2026—Re-detained by ICE during routine check-in in Milwaukee after DHS appealed the ruling
Mar 10, 2026—Transferred to Campbell County Detention Center in Kentucky; family and activists held press conference, attorney filed habeas petition
Dec 1, 2025—Released after immigration judge canceled her deportation order and approved green card application
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