Federal Judge Orders Release of Chicago Woman Detained by ICE; Son Remains in Custody (Chicago, IL) – A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Chicago resident Martha Liliana Navarrete, whose immigration detention case drew widespread attention after she and her teenage son were separated by federal immigration authorities earlier this year.
The ruling came Tuesday from the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky following a writ of habeas corpus filed on Navarrete’s behalf by attorney Brittni Rivera of Kriezelman, Burton & Associates.
According to attorney Kelli Fennell of Hughes Socol Piers Resnick and Dym, Navarrete will now be allowed to return to Chicago and continue her immigration case through the Chicago immigration court system.
“Today, a Federal Judge in the United States District Court of the Western District of Kentucky ordered the immediate release of Martha Liliana Navarrete (Liliana),” Fennell said in a statement.
Navarrete and her son, Ricardo Hernandez Navarrete, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in March after appearing for a scheduled ICE check-in appointment.
The case sparked outrage among immigrant advocacy groups and members of the Chicago community, particularly because Ricardo, 18, is a senior at Mather High School on the city’s North Side.
While Navarrete has been ordered released, Ricardo remains in ICE detention as his own habeas petition remains pending.
“Unfortunately, Ricardo, who is only 18 years old, remains detained,” Fennell said. “His family and community are hopeful they will soon receive a positive decision in his pending habeas.”
Supporters and advocates have continued calling for Ricardo’s release, arguing the family complied with immigration procedures by attending their scheduled appointment before being detained.
The case has become a focal point in broader debates surrounding immigration enforcement practices and family separations.
Federal Judge Orders Release of Chicago Woman Detained by ICE; Son Remains in Custody
