DACA Recipient Detained by ICE While Delivering Milk to Premature Daughter in NICU

Juan Chavez Velasco, 35, was detained by ICE on February 18, 2026, while driving to deliver breast milk to his premature infant daughter in the NICU. Brought to the U.S. at age 8, he had active DACA status, no criminal history, a college education, and U.S. citizen family members. His DACA renewal application from fall 2025 has not been processed despite court orders. ICE has detained more than 260 DACA recipients since January 2025.