An immigration lawyer says a 3-year-old lady spent greater than 5 months in federal custody — and was allegedly sexually abused — despite the fact that her father, a lawful everlasting resident, was out there to take care of her.
Lauren Fisher Flores, an lawyer with the South Texas Professional Bono Asylum Illustration Undertaking, informed ABC Information that the kid, recognized by the pseudonym “Lily,” was positioned in an Workplace of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter shortly after being separated from her mom once they arrived on the southern border on Sept. 16, 2025.
In response to a habeas corpus petition filed in federal courtroom in February, the kid’s father “instantly” submitted sponsorship paperwork, however he was not reunited together with his daughter for over 5 months.
“Her father instantly stuffed out the sponsorship paperwork after which was given a collection of different necessities that continued to develop despite the fact that ORR coverage signifies that for a father or mother, the discharge ought to be inside 10 days,” Flores stated.
Through the time the daddy was attempting to safe the 3-year-old’s launch, the toddler was allegedly sexually abused a number of instances by an older baby on the Fingers of Therapeutic foster dwelling in Harlingen, Texas, Flores stated.
Flores informed ABC Information the daddy was initially informed by ORR that an “accident” had occurred, and solely realized particulars of the abuse months later by his attorneys. The daddy and the 3-year-old are actually collectively, Flores stated.
Signage for the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) headquarters is seen, April 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos
A spokesperson for the Division of Well being and Human Providers, the company that oversees the Workplace of Refugee Resettlement, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from ABC Information.
“This has modified her life. It is modified her household’s life,” Flores stated. And it is actually laborious to see it occurring.”
The allegations come as the common size of take care of migrant children has elevated to 195 days as of February 2026, in comparison with 24 days in 2024, based on Division of Well being and Human Providers information.
“Detention fatigue takes an actual toll on kids, and now we have seen a rise in behaviors like despair, nervousness, and self‑hurt amongst kids who’re detained for a protracted time period,” Flores stated.
