A Massachusetts woman who was suffering from a potentially fatal infection after a miscarriage was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 4, after her fiancé called 911 seeking help for her well-being.
Iara do Carmo Santana, 29, was experiencing a mental health crisis and distress following a miscarriage in August, which had necessitated surgery and subsequently led to an infection. Her fiancé, Gabriel Lemos, called emergency services after the couple had an argument, expressing concerns for her health.
When police arrived at their home in Malden, Santana was arrested on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a household member. Prosecutors alleged she struck Lemos with a hair straightener. She was taken to a police station, detained briefly, and then released. However, ICE was notified of her arrest and took her into federal custody.
Santana reported being denied proper medical care, access to her medication, and adequate food during her detention at a facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. "I was afraid that I was going to go crazy in there. I was really scared," she told the Boston Globe. A federal district judge eventually ordered her release, citing concerns for her health and the right to medical care for detainees.
The Burlington detention center has faced previous allegations of poor conditions, with some individuals describing it as "abysmal" and "unsanitary." Immigration lawyers have reported clients lacking access to basic amenities like showers and sinks, sleeping on concrete floors, and being denied medical attention. ICE has denied these allegations, stating that any claims of inadequate conditions are "categorically FALSE."
Lemos initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Santana and their family, noting that their daughter, aged 6, is missing her mother. He explained that their intention in calling 911 was solely to get Santana medical attention, not to have her arrested.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that Santana immigrated from Brazil in 2021 and had entered the U.S. unlawfully. She applied for asylum and received work authorization, working as a house cleaner. Lemos is a lawful permanent resident, and Santana is in the process of applying for a green card. Her immigration court date is set for 2029.
Massachusetts Deportation Defense is currently raising funds for Santana's legal defense. Her attorney, Todd Pomerleau, reportedly took legal action against ICE over Labor Day weekend.