On Friday, January 16, 2026, a Gresham family seeking emergency medical care for their 7‑year‑old daughter—a persistent nosebleed—were detained by Border Patrol agents in the parking lot of Adventist Health Portland. The family, including young Diana and her parents, arrived at the hospital early that morning but were stopped by federal agents before reaching the emergency room doors.

The parents, identified as Yohendry De Jesus Crespo and Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo, are Venezuelan asylum-seekers who entered the United States in late 2024 via a lawful appointment through the CBP One app. Their asylum hearing is scheduled for 2028, and they have received work permits. Sources confirm that neither parent has a criminal record.

At approximately the time of the attempted hospital visit, three unmarked vehicles surrounded the family’s car. Agents handcuffed both parents while the child wept, and the family was taken into custody. They were later transported first to Washington State and then flown to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, where they remain detained. While there, Diana developed a fever and reportedly was not seen by a physician until several days into her confinement.

The incident has sparked outrage among community organizations and elected officials. The Oregon Nurses Association called it “alarming, chilling, and deeply shameful,” arguing that forcing parents to choose between their child’s health and the threat of detention undermines public trust in medical institutions. State Representative Ricki Ruiz (D‑Gresham), whose district includes the family’s new home, emphasized that hospitals must be sanctuaries of care—not enforcement zones.

The detention has renewed scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement practices, particularly in sensitive locations such as hospitals. Advocates note that a previous Obama-era policy limiting immigration arrests in places like schools, churches, and hospitals was rescinded in 2025, opening the door for such actions. Members of Congress, including Rep. Maxine Dexter (D‑OR), condemned the move, stating emphatically that “no one should live in fear of being detained while getting medical care for their child.”

For local residents—many of whom are immigrants or have family members who are—this case raises troubling questions about safety, access to care, and the erosion of community trust. Gresham, where the family had recently moved, is home to a large Latin American population; such enforcement actions may chill healthcare access and deepen social divides.

The Crespo‑Gonzalez case underscores an urgent call for oversight and accountability in the conduct of immigration enforcement, especially where children are involved. The family is currently represented by counsel, and local advocacy groups are mobilizing to challenge their detention and demand that children’s wellbeing be prioritized over punitive immigration practices.

Update: Family Released After 21 Days in Detention

On February 7, 2026, the Crespo‑Gonzalez family was released from the South Texas Family Residential Center after 21 days in federal custody. Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, who traveled to Texas to advocate for their release, met the family upon their return to Portland International Airport. Dexter, a physician, questioned the legitimacy of their detention and said she never received a clear explanation from immigration authorities regarding why the family was held—or subsequently released. Immigration officials and the Department of Homeland Security have not publicly commented on the case.

According to Dexter, the family’s time in detention coincided with confirmed measles cases at the Dilley facility. Despite her attempt to visit the family in person, officials twice denied her entry, citing health protocols. Dexter stated that she reminded officials of the Flores Settlement Agreement, which limits the detention of minors to 20 days, noting that the family’s release occurred on their 21st day in custody.

Friends and relatives told Oregon Public Broadcasting that Diana had developed a fever during the family’s first week in detention and later lost weight because she would only eat bread with mayonnaise. Upon their release, Dexter said the family described conditions at the facility as “horrible.”

The family’s release followed growing pressure from Oregon lawmakers and advocacy groups, including Innovation Law Lab, the Portland-based legal clinic representing the Crespo‑Gonzalezs. Dexter remarked that the case raises broader concerns about ongoing family detentions in violation of long‑standing legal constraints, expressing worry for other families reportedly still being held at the Dilley facility.

Since returning to Oregon, the family has requested privacy as they readjust to life at home. State Rep. Ricki Ruiz, who advocated for their release, confirmed that the Crespos are now reunited with supporters and recently visited the Oregon State Capitol so that Diana could see the building she had learned about in school.

“They have a long road ahead,” Ruiz said.

New Developments

In a follow-up interview with KOIN 6 on February 11, 2026, Rep. Maxine Dexter said the Crespo‑Gonzalez family “did everything right.” Dexter emphasized that the family followed all U.S. immigration procedures, entered the country lawfully via the CBP One application system, and maintained compliance with federal reporting requirements. She stated that their detention underscored a “profound failure” in enforcement priorities and reaffirmed her intent to push for clearer guidelines prohibiting immigration arrests in and around medical facilities.

Dexter added that her recent visit to Texas gave her firsthand insight into conditions faced by detained families and reinforced her belief that families seeking healthcare should receive protection from immigration enforcement. She indicated that she would pursue federal inquiry into the incident, including communication with the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, to ensure accountability.

The congresswoman described the Crespos as symbolizing a broader issue of mistrust between vulnerable immigrant families and public institutions. “They did what they were supposed to do,” she said, “and yet they were treated like criminals.”

Community advocates welcomed Dexter’s statement as validation of longstanding concerns about how enforcement near hospitals discourages care-seeking, particularly within immigrant populations.

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