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Amalia A.: 18-month-old held by ICE hospitalized with pneumonia, medication withheld at Dilley

An 18-month-old Venezuelan girl was hospitalized 10 days with pneumonia and COVID-19 after detention, then had her nebulizer and medication confiscated upon return to Dilley before her family's release.

Feb 7, 2026El Paso, TXCountry of origin: Venezuela

Amalia A.: 18-month-old held by ICE hospitalized with pneumonia, medication withheld at Dilley
Photo via The Atlantic

Amalia Arrieta, an 18-month-old from Venezuela, was detained with her mother Kheilin Valero Marcano following an ICE appointment in El Paso on December 11, 2025, and transferred to Dilley Immigration Processing Center. Over weeks, Amalia developed severe respiratory symptoms including high fevers, persistent cough, and dangerously low blood-oxygen levels (dropping to the 50s). On January 18, 2026, she was hospitalized at Methodist Children's Hospital in San Antonio for 10 days, diagnosed with pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, and respiratory distress. Upon discharge on January 28, doctors prescribed her a nebulizer, respiratory medications, and nutritional supplements. When ICE returned her to Dilley, detention staff allegedly confiscated her prescribed medications and breathing equipment. Her parents were forced to wait in daily outdoor lines to request treatment, often being denied. After lawyers filed an emergency habeas corpus petition in federal court, the family was released on either January 31 or February 7, 2026.

Timeline

Feb 7, 2026—Family released after emergency habeas corpus petition
Feb 6, 2026—Habeas corpus petition filed by family's attorneys in federal court
Jan 31, 2026—Family released after lawyers filed emergency habeas corpus petition in federal court
Jan 28, 2026—Amalia discharged from hospital diagnosed with pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, and respiratory distress; doctors prescribed nebulizer, respiratory medications, and nutritional supplements
Jan 28, 2026—ICE returns Amalia to Dilley; detention staff allegedly confiscate her prescribed medications, nebulizer, and equipment despite doctors' discharge instructions
Jan 18, 2026—Amalia rushed to Methodist Children's Hospital in San Antonio with dangerously low blood-oxygen levels and severe respiratory distress
Jan 1, 2026—Amalia develops respiratory symptoms including high fever, cough, and breathing difficulty; detention facility medical clinic provides only basic fever medication
Dec 11, 2025—Amalia and her mother detained by ICE following appointment in El Paso and transferred to Dilley Immigration Processing Center
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