ICE detains Ecuadorian mother and daughter in Florida hospital

Ecuadorian nationals Grace Stephanie Calero Cabanilla, 39, and her daughter Giulianna Mía Carriel Calero, 19, were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while receiving medical treatment at a Florida hospital.

The detention occurred following a serious car accident in which another vehicle invaded their lane, causing their car to overturn and sustain heavy damage. Both women were transported to HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital for injuries. Calero suffered cervical injuries and was wearing a neck brace, while Carriel experienced a nervous crisis following the impact.

Family members report that agents interrogated Calero while she was under the influence of sedatives for pain management. Despite the family's requests for identification and legal documentation authorizing the procedure, the two women were handcuffed and transferred to an ICE detention center in Tampa. The family maintains that the women have active asylum processes pending, while authorities received an alert indicating they had overstayed their authorized period in the United States.