Overview
- Juan Chavez Velasco, 35, was stopped in Weslaco, Texas, on Feb. 18 and transferred to the Webb County Detention Center in Laredo while trying to reach his premature daughter in the NICU.
- He filed to renew DACA in November 2025, yet his protections expired on March 10 while he remained in custody.
- DHS says he is subject to a 2005 final removal order and emphasizes that DACA does not confer legal status and recipients may be arrested and deported.
- Attorney Jodi Goodwin is seeking an emergency USCIS renewal and pursuing congressional intervention to prevent his removal and secure release.
- Family members report the newborn needs ongoing transfusions, and DHS data given to lawmakers show hundreds of recent arrests and dozens of deportations of DACA recipients.