SPOKANE, Wash. – A Spokane family taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been transferred to a detention center in Texas. The family, originally from Guatemala, has lived in Spokane for several years.
The incident was first reported by NonStop Local KHQ. Spokane Public Schools’ board member Nikki Lockwood held a moment of silence for 10-year-old Karla Tiul Baltazar, who attends Logan Elementary School.
Karla and her father, Arnoldo Tiul Caal, were detained by ICE in early January. They are currently at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Dilley, Texas. Information on their legal processes remains unclear.
Latinos en Spokane has been assisting the family through the immigration process. Executive Director Jennyfer Mesa emphasized the importance of not disrupting the case, stating, “No child should be taken from their community or removed from school, and no parent should have their legal process disregarded,” she said.
As the story spread, community members have expressed their opinions online. Some supported ICE’s actions, while others criticized the detainment. A protest took place at B.A. Clark Park, where community member Jamie Sutherlin expressed frustration.
“These kidnappings or abductions are a violation of people’s constitutional rights,” Sutherlin said. “People need to understand that the Constitution does not just apply to people that are here with documentation or people who are citizens,” he said.
NonStop Local News reached out to the local ICE office for more information but has not yet received a response. The team will continue efforts to connect with Latinos en Spokane for further updates.
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