U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported a critically ill two-month-old infant and his family to Mexico this week, sparking outrage from lawmakers who say the baby's life is now in danger.
Family Deported Despite Baby's Serious Health Issues
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) broke the news Tuesday in a series of posts on X, revealing that the infant, Juan Nicolás, had been diagnosed with bronchitis and became unresponsive at some point in recent hours. "Juan has bronchitis—according to his mom—and at some point in the last several hours he was unresponsive," Castro wrote.
Despite the medical emergency, Juan was discharged from the hospital around midnight. His mother had been informed by an immigration judge that she would be deported, though she wasn't told when or where until it happened.
The entire family—Juan, his 16-month-old sister, and both parents—were ultimately deported together. "Juan Nicolás, a two month old suffering from bronchitis who spent three weeks in the Dilley Trailer Prison, has been deported by ICE along with his mother," Castro wrote.
The family was sent to Mexico with just $190 from their commissary, according to Castro, who called the action "heinous." He added, "To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous. My staff and I are in contact with Juan's family… and ensuring their safety."
For context, bronchitis is inflammation of the lung airways that causes coughing and mucus production. Acute bronchitis is typically short-term and often caused by infections, while chronic bronchitis persists for at least three months over consecutive years, making breathing progressively harder due to ongoing inflammation and mucus buildup.
