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

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.
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- ICE deported two US citizen children, judge orders their return
Newsweek·Mar 11, 2026·archived copy
- Client Challenge
- Federal Judge Orders Return of Two US Citizen Children After ICE Deportation
Hinden Times·Mar 11, 2026·archived copy
- CourtListener
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