{"id":7028,"date":"2026-04-15T10:21:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amicacenter.org\/?post_type=story&p=7028"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:22:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:22:33","slug":"dylan","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/amicacenter.org\/es\/stories\/dylan\/","title":{"rendered":"Dylan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8-year-old Dylan* was finally released from immigration detention and reunited with his mom after more than six long months apart.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan is originally from Guatemala and, like many kids his age, he loves soccer, drawing, pizza, and cars. Before he was detained, he was living in Virginia\u2014going to school, spending time with his mom, and settling into his new community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan first came to the United States in 2024. He was designated an \u201cunaccompanied immigrant child\u201d by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They sent him to a detention \u201cshelter\u201d for immigrant children in Texas. His mom was already in Virginia and immediately applied to sponsor him. Within a month, Dylan was released to her care, and they began building a life together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That life was abruptly torn apart in August 2025. While visiting family in another state during his summer vacation, the vehicle Dylan was in was stopped at an immigration checkpoint, and DHS sent him back to detention, away from his family and life. Overnight, Dylan went from a third grader worried about homework and soccer practice to a child trapped in detention, wondering when he would see his mom again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when Amica Center\u2019s staff met Dylan. They served as a Friend of the Court in his immigration proceedings, providing the judge with updates on his case.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though Dylan\u2019s mom had already been approved as his sponsor, she was forced to start the process over. She\u202fmoved quickly\u2014submitting a new application within days and complying with all requirements, including background checks, DNA testing, and a home study, which concluded that she is fit to care for her son.\u202fShe\u202frepeatedly\u202fprovided\u202fher\u202fidentification, tax returns, and proof that Dylan was enrolled in school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, Dylan remained detained, separated from his mother for more than half a year. He spent his days in a shelter and his nights with a foster family that didn\u2019t speak his language or know that his favorite food was pizza. The government repeatedly delayed his release, and for Dylan, that was the hardest part\u2014not knowing if he would get home for his birthday or for Christmas or even if he would see his mother again. No child should have to experience that kind of uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early February, Amica Center\u2019s Immigration Impact Lab filed a habeas petition on Dylan\u2019s behalf, challenging his re-detention and the government\u2019s delay in sending him back to his mom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just days later, Dylan was finally released.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, Dylan and his mom are focusing on healing and rebuilding their lives together. They plan to make up for lost time by cooking carne asada, playing soccer, going to the trampoline park, and eating pizza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dylan\u2019s case illustrates the ongoing harm caused by family separation. No one should have to go through what Dylan did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amica Center is committed to continuing this fight\u2014bringing habeas petitions on behalf of other unaccompanied children suffering through prolonged detention and separation\u2014so more kids can be reunited with their families as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*To protect the privacy of the people we work with, names, photos, and other identifying information have been changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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