A father and his five‑year‑old son were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while on their way to a children’s soccer match in Austin.
Victor Martinez Nieto, the boy’s father, decided to leave the United States voluntarily rather than see his son placed in long‑term care by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
A Father’s Choice
The pair were held at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, a facility that has drawn criticism for keeping families together for months or even years.
Liam Tadeo’s mother, who remains in Austin, was not offered the chance to assume custody during the detention, leaving the family with a stark dilemma.
The incident has reignited calls to shut down the Dilley detention center, with Congressman Greg Casar among those demanding the boy’s release and a broader review of family immigration facilities.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security reiterated that parents retain the option to deport alongside their children or to designate safe custody for them, but the policy continues to generate controversy.