Key facts
- Grace Stephanie Calero Cabanilla and her daughter Giulianna Mía Carriel Calero were arrested by ICE at a Florida hospital.
- The arrests occurred after the two were involved in a car crash and transported to HCA Florida Poinciana hospital.
- A sheriff's deputy discovered the driver had overstayed her visa.
- ICE issued detainers for both individuals.
- The mother has a pending asylum case and work permit, while her daughter has a visa valid until 2030.
An Ecuadorian mother and daughter were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a Florida hospital following a car crash. Grace Stephanie Calero Cabanilla, 39, and her daughter, Giulianna Mía Carriel Calero, 19, were involved in a collision in Poinciana, Florida, on August 20. Their cousin, Jonathan Bravo, stated that the pair were driving to work when another vehicle struck their car, causing it to flip multiple times.
After being transported to HCA Florida Poinciana hospital by ambulance, a Polk County sheriff's deputy began questioning Calero Cabanilla about her immigration status. The sheriff's office confirmed that the driver was in the United States illegally after overstaying her visa, and that her daughter had also overstayed her visa.
ICE subsequently issued detainers for both women. Following their discharge from the hospital, they were taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail. Arrest reports indicate neither woman had a criminal history. Bravo mentioned that Calero Cabanilla has a pending asylum case and a work permit, while her daughter's visa is valid until 2030.
The arrests come amid criticism of recent ICE actions, including the detention of a sailor's father and several higher education professionals. These incidents have drawn particular scrutiny in light of past administration pledges to focus on deporting individuals with criminal records.