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12-year-old U.S. citizen twin sisters deported to Guatemala by ICE

Two 12-year-old U.S. citizen twins born in Orlando were deported to Guatemala after their mother's ICE appointment; a federal court ordered their immediate return at ICE's expense.

Mar 11, 2026Orlando, FLCountry of origin: Guatemala

12-year-old U.S. citizen twin sisters deported to Guatemala by ICE
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On March 9, 2026, ICE detained and deported two 12-year-old twin sisters who are U.S. citizens born in Orlando, Florida, after their mother attended a scheduled immigration appointment at an ICE facility. ICE invoked a "family unity" policy to take the children into custody and deport them to Guatemala. The mother had previously submitted paperwork requesting the children remain with their grandmother, though ICE stated she verbally requested to take them with her. A federal court granted a habeas corpus petition filed by the grandmother, ordering the children's immediate return to the United States at ICE's expense and restraining ICE from rearresting them.

Timeline

Mar 11, 2026—Federal court granted habeas corpus petition, ordered children's immediate return to United States at ICE's expense, and restrained ICE from rearresting them
Mar 9, 2026—Twin sisters detained by ICE at facility in Orlando during mother's scheduled immigration appointment and deported to Guatemala on same day
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