Immigrant rights groups are demanding the immediate release of Catalina “Xóchitl” Santiago, a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and longtime community organizer from El Paso, Texas.
She remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody despite a judge terminating her deportation proceedings.
Santiago, who has lived in the United States since childhood, was seized by Border Patrol agents in early August at El Paso International Airport as she prepared to board a domestic flight for work.
According to court records, Immigration Judge Michael Pleters ruled this week that her DACA protections remain valid and that she cannot be deported until federal judges review her case. Still, she remains jailed at an ICE facility in El Paso.
The Arrest and Controversy
Santiago’s detention has sparked national attention. A Newsweek report last month detailed that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials cited her past criminal charges, including trespassing and drug-related offenses, as grounds for her arrest. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that “DACA does not confer any form of legal status” and that recipients may be subject to deportation if they have criminal records.
But Santiago’s attorneys and supporters argue that she is being unlawfully detained. They point out that she presented a valid DACA work authorization card at the time of her arrest and that her status does not expire until April 2026.
Community Response
Santiago is a member of Movimiento Cosecha, a national immigrant advocacy group, and has been active in campaigns supporting immigrant families across Texas and Florida. Her allies describe her as a tireless advocate who has “made a profound and powerful impact” on her community.
In response to her detention, supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised more than $82,000, far exceeding a $70,000 goal for her legal defense and post-release care. A separate petition on ActionNetwork.org has also collected more than 3,200 signatures calling for her release.
Organizers have scheduled protests outside the El Paso detention facility, framing her case as part of a broader crackdown on immigrant communities.
“This unexpected and cruel detainment will likely result in high legal fees alongside immeasurable emotional impact on her and her family,” campaign organizers wrote online.
Why It Matters
Santiago’s case underscores the fragility of DACA protections, often referred to as a lifeline for “Dreamers.” While DACA provides work authorization and temporary protection from deportation, it does not grant permanent legal status. That gap leaves recipients vulnerable to enforcement actions, particularly under intensified immigration crackdowns.
President Donald Trump is carrying out mass deportations as part of his administration’s immigration policies, with reports of daily quotas of 3,000 arrests under his administration’s enforcement priorities.
Cases like Santiago’s highlight how policy shifts and court battles continue to leave DACA beneficiaries in legal limbo.
What’s Next
For now, Santiago remains in ICE custody despite the immigration judge’s ruling in her favor. Her legal team is preparing further challenges, while immigrant rights groups continue mobilizing for her release.
“The fight is not just for me,” Santiago said in a message posted on her GoFundMe page. “It is for every immigrant family that has lived in fear and continues to struggle for dignity.”
