ICE Detains Family Seeking Child’s Emergency Care at Portland Hospital
Last week, immigration agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a family from Gresham, Oregon, as they sought emergency medical care for their 7-year-old daughter. The incident occurred outside Adventist Health hospital in Southeast Portland on January 16, 2024. This arrest marks a troubling moment in Oregon’s immigration enforcement history.
Details of the Incident
The family, including parents Yohendry De Jesus Crespo and Darianny Liseth Gonzalez de Crespo, had taken their daughter Diana to the hospital due to persistent nosebleeds. Concerned for her health, they arrived at the emergency department, where their hopes of seeing a doctor were abruptly shattered.
- Arrest Location: Adventist Health hospital, Southeast Portland
- Date of Arrest: January 16, 2024
- Child’s Condition: Severe nosebleed requiring urgent medical attention
- Family Background: Immigrants from Venezuela with pending asylum applications
Response from the Hospital and Community
The arrest surprised hospital officials, who indicated no prior coordination with law enforcement. Heather Pease, a spokesperson for Adventist Health, emphasized that patient care is their priority, regardless of the situation.
U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter criticized the incident, stating that no one should fear arrest while seeking medical attention. The Oregon Nurses Association echoed this sentiment, labeling the family’s detention as both alarming and shameful.
Background of the Family
The Crespo-Gonzalez family, known to friends as Joey and Dari, had entered the U.S. in November 2024. They traveled through Central America, entering the country at the San Ysidro port of entry after applying for asylum through a Customs and Border Protection mobile app.
After relocating to Oregon from Utah, the family sought a better life amid concerns related to their safety following a violent incident in the state. Since settling in Portland, they shared an apartment with friends, the Linares family, before renting their own space.
Aftermath of the Detention
Following the arrest, the family was taken to the immigration detention center in Tacoma and then flown to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, the largest family detention center in the nation. Reports indicate the parents face no criminal charges, raising questions about their detention status.
Concerns for Diana’s health have been heightened, particularly after it was reported that she experienced fever and received inadequate medical attention while in custody, which is a recurrent issue in immigration detention facilities.
Community and Legislative Reactions
Local legislators are actively monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for Diana’s health and safety to be prioritized. They are calling for swift provision of medical care and due process for the family.
State Representative Ricki Ruiz asserted that the child’s immediate wellbeing must come first, demanding urgent medical attention and access to legal support for the family.
