Canadian Autistic Child and Mother Detained by ICE in Texas, Family Fights for Release
A seven-year-old Canadian girl, Ayla Luca, originally from British Columbia, has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with her mother, Tania Warner, and sent to a notorious detention center in Texas. According to reports, they have been told they would be released only if they self-deport, a demand that has sparked widespread concern and legal action.
Family's Legal Status and Traumatic Ordeal
Ayla, who is autistic, came to the United States five years ago when her mother married Edward Warner, a U.S. citizen. Edward asserts that the family possesses legal paperwork valid until 2030, including a social security card and a functional visa for Tania. The family resides in Kingsville, Texas, and were driving home from a baby shower in Raymondville on March 14 when they were stopped at a border patrol checkpoint in Sarita.
Edward Warner described the situation as deeply traumatic. He revealed that during a phone call, his wife whispered to avoid being overheard by officials, stating she was traumatized and that border patrol agents behaved poorly. Ayla has developed a rash while in detention, adding to the family's distress. "She says she’s traumatized … They’re not good. She said the border patrol agents are just absolute pieces of sh**," Edward said, emphasizing the harsh conditions.
Political and Community Response
Vicente Gonzalez, a Democratic congressman for Texas’s 34th congressional district, has issued a statement condemning the detention. He highlighted that Tania has a work permit and is an integral part of the Kingsville community, arguing that neither she nor her autistic daughter should be in detention. "We must bring them home and reunite yet another family being ripped apart by this Administration’s rogue immigration enforcement operations," Gonzalez declared, pledging his office's efforts to secure their release.
The mother-daughter duo were initially held at the Rio Grande Valley Central processing center in McAllen, Texas, but were moved early on Friday to the Dilley immigration processing center in south Texas. Dilley is infamous for outbreaks of disease and poor medical care. Originally opened under the Obama administration and shuttered during Biden's tenure, it reopened in early 2025 to hold detained families together, raising further alarms about their welfare.
International and Legal Implications
Global Affairs Canada, the federal ministry handling consular services, confirmed awareness of multiple cases involving Canadians in U.S. immigration-related detention. A spokesperson noted that consular officials advocate for Canadian citizens abroad and raise concerns about ill-treatment or discrimination but cannot exempt them from local legal processes. Due to privacy considerations, no further details were disclosed.
The family is now raising funds to pay for legal assistance, as they navigate this complex immigration battle. Tania's cousin, Amber Sinclair, told the Guardian that Tania has proper documentation, underscoring the legal ambiguities in their case.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration enforcement, particularly affecting vulnerable individuals like children with disabilities. As the family awaits resolution, their story underscores the human cost of stringent policies and the urgent need for compassionate solutions in immigration matters.
