ICE releases mother and daughter in Texas after nine weeks of separation

San Antonio, Texas. Adela Castellanos and her daughter Sofía have been released from immigration custody after spending nine weeks in a government facility. The pair was detained by San Antonio police on August 27, 2026, at their home. Both are nationals of Honduras. They were transported to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

The detention left three other children in the home under the care of their father. Valery, 6, Haron, 4, and William, who is three months old, are all U.S. citizens. Castellanos was four weeks past giving birth to William when officers arrested her. Her legal team, consisting of attorneys Corey Martin and Kate Lincoln-Golfinch, secured her release. Castellanos now wears an ankle monitor.

Castellanos reported health issues while detained. She experienced heavy bleeding and visited doctors who told her the symptoms were normal. She stated she knew they were not normal because she had been a mother before. Her daughter Sofía, who was 10 at the time of arrest, also suffered during the confinement. Castellanos recalled that Sofía cried at night and complained of hunger.

Valery, the 6-year-old, memorized her mother's alien registration number to keep her in mind during the separation. The girl also learned to comb her hair by herself for school. Upon reuniting, Valery hugged her mother for several minutes. Castellanos told her daughter, “Ya no me voy a ir, ¿ok?” which translates to “I am not going to leave anymore, ok?”

Sofía expressed relief at returning home. She said she felt a sense of peace in her heart knowing she would be with her brothers again. The 10-year-old plans to return to her classroom next week. Her younger brother William was only an infant during the nine weeks his mother and sister were detained.

The family is back in their apartment in San Antonio. Castellanos said the separation from William was particularly painful. Valery stated she wants her mother to comb her hair again. The release marks the end of the detention period for the two Honduran nationals.

The children are now all together in the family home. Sofía is preparing for the start of the school week. Castellanos is adjusting to life with the ankle monitor. The family remains in San Antonio.