ICE Arrests Asylum-Seeking Family Outside Portland Hospital

Advocates raised serious concerns after federal agents arrested a family of asylum seekers last week outside a hospital in Portland, Oregon. The family had rushed their 7-year-old daughter, Diana Crespo, to Adventist Hospital on January 16, 2024, due to a severe nosebleed. Just as they arrived, three unmarked vehicles with agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) surrounded their car in the emergency room parking lot.

Yohendry De Jesus Crespo and his wife, Darianny Liseth González de Crespo, both Venezuelans living in Gresham, Oregon, were met with an urgent plea for their daughter’s medical attention. “The parents pleaded to let their 7-year-old daughter receive urgently needed medical care, but that request was denied,” stated Oregon state Representative Ricki Ruiz (D-50) on social media.

After the arrest, the family was transported to a facility in Tacoma, Washington, before being sent to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center near San Antonio, Texas. This facility, managed by ICE alongside private prison operator CoreCivic, has faced criticism for inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions. Reports indicate that detainees have received moldy or worm-infested food, raising alarms about the health and safety of those held there.

As of now, Diana remains unwell, reportedly suffering from a fever and lacking basic medical care. Ruiz emphasized the urgent need for appropriate treatment, stating, “the immediate health and well-being of Diana Crespo must be the top priority.” He called for swift action to ensure the child receives necessary medical attention and for the family to have access to legal counsel.

The arrest occurred less than 1,000 feet from the site where a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot a Venezuelan couple earlier this month, marking a significant and troubling incident in Oregon’s immigration enforcement history. Heather Pease, a spokesperson for Adventist Hospital, clarified that the hospital did not coordinate with any law enforcement agencies during the family’s arrest, emphasizing, “Patient care remains our priority, regardless of circumstances.”

The Crespo family, who have pending asylum claims and were assigned a court date in 2028, are described by acquaintances as “good people, not criminals.” They sought stability in the U.S. to support their families back in Venezuela, having traveled through the Panamanian jungle to reach the United States.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers under U.S. immigration policies. Advocates have expressed alarm over reports of federal agents targeting children, including U.S. citizens, for detention. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicates that a record 73,000 individuals facing deportation are currently being held by ICE, including approximately 6,000 family units.

Child welfare advocates are increasingly concerned that the pressure to arrest migrants, coupled with the profit motives of private prisons, is incentivizing the detention of vulnerable populations, especially children. As the community rallies around the Crespo family, Ruiz reiterated the need for compassion and proper care in situations involving children, urging all responsible agencies to act humanely to ensure the child’s health and safety.