After a month and a half in ICE detainment, the mother of an L.A.U.S.D. student returned home to her family November 27, 2025.

Just before the holidays—weeks before Thanksgiving—a family in the Venice community was given hope they would get their mom back.

The lengthy legal proceedings were steadily moving forward, but it was unclear whether she would be released or remain in ICE custody.

“A week before Thanksgiving they submitted a bond for her release,” said the mom’s son. All that was left was to wait for the judge’s final decision. It had been declined before, and there was no telling if it would be declined again.

“The lawyer’s argument was based on habeas corpus,” said the son. This means that the case was investigating whether the mom’s imprisonment was lawful or not.

Proof of a clean criminal record was required. According to the son, the lawyer specifically asked for academic records and if there were any awards received to show that their children were “good, legitimate [people].”

On top of a demanding legal process, tens of thousands of dollars were needed to even have a chance at getting their mom back. According to the family’s GoFundMe, it cost $10,000 for an immigration attorney, $7,000 for the federal attorney to submit the lawsuit to a Federal District Court, and $7,500 for bond (amounting to a total cost of $24,500).

Working class people typically cannot afford to have such sudden financial strains. It is often up to grassroots organizations or online platforms to assist families in need, highlighting the inherent inequities in the legal system where those without the resources to afford costly services are the most vulnerable.

According to the Justice Gap Report, published by Legal Services Corporation in 2022, “Low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal help for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems.” 

Disadvantaged communities face more socioeconomic barriers than affluent families who may be able to afford costly legal services.

Enough funds were raised for the L.A.U.S.D. student’s mom, and the bond to release her was approved just a day before Thanksgiving. 

When her son received the news, he recounted, “I was crying with joy…She’s gonna be back.”

The family was officially reunited on Thanksgiving day. They have been spending time together, cherishing her return. 

“I’ve been a lot happier that she’s back,” said her son. He explained that her absence had left a gaping hole in the family, but her return has reignited the joy in their household.

“My dad is smiling a lot more,” he said. “So is my sister.”

His mom has been resting at home since her return, where she now wears an ankle monitor. 

She had been taken October 17, when she was transported to San Bernardino County to be held in the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. 

During her detainment, her son said that she was forced to endure poor conditions and harsh mistreatment.

“They purposefully make it miserable,” he said, relaying his mother’s story.

According to the son, the detainees often received spoiled food. 

“One day, she got beef with rice,” he said. “The beef had a punchy smell, and it didn’t look right. Everyone that ate it got severe stomach pain and diarrhea.”

As winter approached, the weather in Adelanto became progressively colder, which only enabled further illness among detainees.

“They have a very thin blanket, and she told me she was always shivering at night,” her son said. “They hand out cold waters with ice in them, which isn’t suitable in the cold environment. They want you to get sick.”

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, two people have died in the Adelanto detention center since October, and a recent lawsuit against federal officials alleges that “conditions at the facility have been deteriorating.”

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs of Homeland Security, claimed these allegations are false in an interview with the LA Times.

“Detainees are provided three meals a day, clean water, clothing, bedding, showers, toiletries and access to phones,” she said, as stated in the Los Angeles Times.

McLaughlin is planning to step down from her position at the Department of Homeland Security next week, according to Politico.

The L.A.U.S.D. student’s mom still has monthly court summons, but she has successfully navigated the legal system despite systemic barriers.

This is only one story of many.

The threat of being seized and forcefully detained by ICE in Los Angeles communities is still present. Amidst uncertainty, at least one family has been reunited.

“I feel a lot better now, knowing that she’s safe,” her son said.