In brief
Diana Santillana Galeano was detained by immigration agents at a Chicago day care center while children were being dropped off. Her release has garnered support from the community, highlighting tensions surrounding immigration enforcement tactics in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security stated that her detainment was part of a broader immigration crackdown. Following her release, Santillana expressed gratitude for community support and emphasized her commitment to her work with children.
CHICAGO (AP) — A Chicago day care center employee, Diana Santillana Galeano, who was detained by immigration agents while children were being dropped off last week, has been released. Her attorney confirmed she was released from a detention center in Indiana on Wednesday night.
Galeano's detainment on November 5 at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center has sparked outrage, as video footage showed officers physically restraining her as they escorted her out of the facility. Attorney Charlie Wysong expressed relief at her release, emphasizing the need to respect her privacy during her recovery.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has advocated on my behalf, as well as for those who have faced similar experiences in our community,” said Santillana Galeano, expressing her eagerness to return to work with the children she loves.
This incident is part of a larger trend of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics under the previous administration, known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has resulted in over 3,000 arrests in the Chicago area since September. The Department of Homeland Security stated that the day care was not a target, and confirmed that Galeano, a Colombian national, had previously entered the U.S. illegally but obtained work authorization under the Biden administration.
