UPDATE: 5:53 p.m. Sept. 12, 2017
Immigration and Customs Enforcement decided Tuesday to release Maria Solis Jasso from its Otay Mesa detention facility on an order of supervision, her attorney told KPBS.
"I am relieved and ecstatic," said attorney Leah Chavarria.
The pregnant mother of three was expected to arrive home between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Tuesday, said her sister Izabel, who called her release "a miracle."
Original Story
The ACLU of San Diego and Imperial counties is asking Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release a pregnant mother from an Otay Mesa detention facility and allow her to fight her immigration case from her home in North County.
Maria Solis Jasso spoke to KPBS about her detention a few weeks ago, saying she fears having a miscarriage because she believes the high levels of stress in the detention facility are causing her to experience severe cramping.
In a letter dated Monday, the ACLU told Immigration and Customs Enforcement that it is “deeply concerned” with Solis’ health and cited policy memos from previous immigration leaders — including former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson — that advise against the detention of expectant mothers.
RELATED: Pregnant Mother Fights For Release From Immigration Detention Facility In Otay Mesa
“The emotional and physical pressures inherent to detention produce unnecessary stress and trauma that can cause complications during pregnancy,” the letter states. “Among other problems, high levels of prenatal stress can increase the risk of stillbirth and cause brain disorders. Because of those concerns, there is a growing consensus that detention of pregnant women should be avoided.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to a request for comment from KPBS on the ACLU letter.
Solis, who is from Mexico and has three daughters in the U.S., was detained on Aug. 1 while walking to work as a deli cashier in North County. She said an officer from ICE told her a prior order of removal had been reinstated.
