Elvis T.E.: 2-year-old flown to Texas despite order to release her
An Ecuadorian father and his 2-year-old daughter were detained in Minneapolis and flown to Texas despite a judge's order to release the child. She was returned the next day; her father remains held.
Jan 24, 2026Minneapolis, MNCountry of origin: Ecuador
Elvis Tipan-Echeverria, an Ecuadorian citizen, and his 2-year-old daughter were detained by ICE agents in south Minneapolis on January 23, 2026, after agents pursued their vehicle in a targeted enforcement operation. Agents entered the family's driveway without a warrant and broke the vehicle window while the child was inside before transporting both father and daughter to a federal facility. A federal judge issued an order at 8:11 p.m. requiring the child's release by 9:30 p.m., but ICE placed them on a commercial flight to Texas by 8:30 p.m. The child was returned to Minnesota and reunited with her mother on January 24, while her father remains in custody. A federal court order has barred ICE from removing him from Minnesota during ongoing proceedings.
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- Minnesota toddler taken into ICE custody with father and flown to Texas is returned to mother next day, lawyer says
CNN·Jan 24, 2026·archived copy
- ICE flies 2-year-old and father to Texas despite court order
Newsweek·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- ICE agents are detaining kids…from teens to toddlers
- ICE illegally detaining, moving Minnesota children to Texas faster than courts can respond
MPR News·Jan 28, 2026·archived copy
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CNN·Feb 6, 2026·archived copy
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- ICE detained a 5-year old Minnesota boy. School leader says agents used him as ‘bait’
MPR News·Jan 21, 2026·archived copy
- ICE flew 2-year-old to Texas despite court order to release her from custody
KSTP·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- ICE sends 2-year-old from Minneapolis to Texas, despite court order
Sahan Journal·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- Border Patrol detains 2-year-old, court orders her released
Star Tribune·Jan 23, 2026·archived copy
- ICE sends detained 2-yr-old from Minnesota to Texas detention center despite judge’s release order
MEAWW·Jan 24, 2026·archived copy
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