Federal immigration agents detained a two-year-old girl and her father, Elvis Joel TE, in Minneapolis on March 15, 2024. The incident occurred around 13:00 local time as the pair was returning home from a store. Despite a federal judge ordering the girl’s release by 21:30 the same evening, immigration officials instead transported both to a detention center in Texas. Following significant public outcry and legal intervention, they were later flown back to Minnesota, where the child was released into her mother’s custody. Elvis Joel TE remains detained.
The alarming events unfolded when agents approached the family’s home, reportedly without a warrant. According to Kira Kelley, an attorney representing the family, officers entered the backyard and driveway area, where they allegedly broke a window of the father’s vehicle while the toddler was inside. The mother was present at the home when the agents arrived but was not allowed to take her daughter as they detained both the father and child.
Legal representatives filed an emergency petition demanding their release, emphasizing the emotional distress caused by the detention. A Minnesota-based judge issued a temporary order prohibiting the transfer of the father and daughter outside the state, expressing concern over the potential for “irreparable harm” to the child. The judge noted that the toddler had no criminal history and that the situation warranted immediate action.
Despite the legal order, the father and daughter were put on a flight to Texas around 20:30. Elvis Joel TE, originally from Ecuador, has a pending asylum application and no final order of removal. His daughter has lived in Minneapolis since she was a newborn.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later described the operation as a “targeted enforcement operation.” They characterized Elvis Joel TE as an “illegal immigrant,” claiming he had unlawfully reentered the U.S. and was driving erratically with his child. In a statement, DHS alleged that the father refused to comply with their requests and stated they had attempted to return the child to her mother, who allegedly declined to take her.
Kelley vehemently disputed this account, asserting that the agents would not allow the father to return to the house with his daughter. As the arrest unfolded, a crowd gathered outside, prompting DHS to deploy crowd control measures, which included the use of chemical irritants and flash-bang devices, according to reports.
The case has drawn parallels to another recent incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where five-year-old Liam Ramos was detained in Minnesota. This has raised significant concerns over the aggressive enforcement practices under the Trump administration and sparked international criticism.
Irina Vaynerman, another attorney for the family, described the situation as “horrific,” emphasizing the fear experienced by parents when their children are separated from them. She criticized DHS for its practice of transferring detainees out of state shortly after their detention, which makes it increasingly difficult for families to obtain legal assistance and fight their cases.
Vaynerman argued, “The lack of humanity at every step of this process is truly unimaginable. There has to be an end to this type of cruelty.” She and other lawyers are advocating for a broader court order to prevent the government from transferring individuals outside of Minnesota for at least seven days after they are given the opportunity to contact legal counsel. They seek to protect those with pending habeas petitions, which would allow them to challenge their detention effectively.
This incident has ignited discussions about the treatment of immigrant families and the implications of current immigration policies. As the community grapples with the fallout from these actions, the long-term effects on the young girl and her family remain uncertain.
