Overview
- Federal agents arrested her on Dec. 14 during a Baltimore traffic stop, asserting she is a Mexican national named Dulce Consuelo Madrigal Diaz who is in the country unlawfully.
- Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, 22, says she was born in Laurel, and her attorneys say they provided a Maryland birth certificate along with hospital and immunization records to verify her citizenship.
- The dispute stems from a 2023 Arizona border encounter during which ICE says she identified as a Mexican citizen, leading to removal proceedings and an in absentia deportation order.
- ICE transferred her five times among facilities in Louisiana, Texas and New Jersey over 25 days, and she spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in detention away from her young son.
- Released on Jan. 7, she now makes frequent check-ins at ICE’s Baltimore office, was fitted with an ankle monitor during a lengthy visit this week, and has been asked to obtain a passport with help sought from Sen. Chris Van Hollen ahead of a July hearing.