A mother from the Portland area, Kenia Jackeline Merlos, along with her four children—three 9-year-old triplets and a 7-year-old son—has been held in custody by federal immigration officials for two weeks, raising concerns over possible violations of federal policies that govern detention durations. The family has been in custody since June 28, when they were apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Peace Arch State Park, which is located near the U.S.-Canada border. The family had traveled to the park with Merlos’s mother for what they believed was a routine outing.
In a troubling turn of events, Merlos’s husband was also detained shortly after and is now being held at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Tacoma, Washington. The family’s situation has drawn attention from local officials and advocates. U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter visited the detention center near Ferndale, Washington, on Thursday to confirm the presence of Merlos and her children. Although she was unable to engage in a conversation with the family due to restrictions, she did manage to see them during her visit.
According to CBP guidelines, individuals in custody should not be held for more than 72 hours. However, instances of prolonged detentions have been reported, prompting scrutiny of the agency’s practices. Jason Givens, a spokesperson for CBP, stated that Merlos was arrested for “attempting to smuggle illegal aliens into the U.S. on June 28.” He further noted that the children were present during the alleged smuggling attempt and that Merlos specifically requested for her children to remain with her during the detention process.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Merlos has not been formally charged with any crime. Her attorney, Nedved, pointed out that federal immigration authorities have yet to provide any court documents related to the case, raising further questions about the legality of the detention. Nedved criticized the agency’s statement regarding the reasons for Merlos’s arrest, asserting that it lacked clarity and transparency.
The prolonged detention of Merlos and her children has sparked outrage among immigrant rights activists and community members, who argue that such practices violate fundamental human rights and undermine the integrity of the immigration system. As the situation unfolds, many are calling for a reevaluation of detention policies and greater accountability for federal immigration enforcement agencies.
