Woman who came to the U.S. legally at age four now detained by ICE

Noman Sabit: A woman who has lived and been educated in the U.S since she was four was detained by ICE.

Milena Araya-Davis, 26, originally entered the country legally from Peru with her parents on a tourist visa.

At 15, she applied for DACA, which lets young immigrants live and work in the U.S. without immediate deportation. After marrying Matthew Davis, 27, in April 2025, she applied for a green card.

During the green card interview on December 15, 2026, the couple had their proof of relationship approved, but three ICE agents entered the room and started questioning Milena about how she entered the U.S. Milena was arrested, tied by her wrists and ankles and taken to the Federal Building in San Diego, before spending seven days in Otay Mesa ICE Detention Center, in a cell with 150 other women.

She was later released by a judge and is now waiting for her green card.

Milena, an associate marriage and family therapist, from San Diego, California, said: “It is a very confusing situation. “I am a proud Peruvian and Latina, but I grew up here; the U.S. is my home. I consider myself a Peruvian American.

“It feels strange to think that I came here at the age of four and did everything my parents wanted me to do.

“I contribute to my community, yet I am not considered an American, and it feels like people don’t want me here.”

Milena entered the US at the age of four, on a tourism visa with her parents, Guisella Donayre and Jose Araya, from Peru.

Her sister, Miranda, was born in the US, automatically making her a citizen, and Miranda supported their green card application when she turned 21. Milena said: “My parents came from Peru; they wanted better opportunities and education for my sister and me.

“There were more opportunities for growth in the US than there were in Peru at the time.”

During her green card interview on December 15, 2025, Milena said it was “very casual”, and the interviewer was asking her about their wedding and how the day went. But towards the end of the meeting, Milena says that three ICE agents entered the room and started questioning her.

“The woman who was interviewing us was very casual,” Milena said.

“At the end of the interview, she said our I-130 – a petition for a relative – was approved, and then said, ‘I am so sorry this is not my decision, but some people want to speak to you’.

“She walked out of the room, and three ICE agents walked in and arrested me.

“I was completely terrified. I cried when they entered the room – I was overwhelmed.”

Milena was bound by her hands and wrists and taken to the Federal Building in San Diego before she was taken to Otay Mesa ICE Detention Center. Then, a month later, on January 26, 2026, Milena had a case hearing where a judge closed her case and referred it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – and Milena is waiting for her green card.

“The whole situation was dehumanizing,” Milena said.

“I don’t have a criminal record, I don’t even have a speeding ticket.

“I studied in the US, I have a bachelor’s and master’s degree.

“It was wrong how I was treated; I was being treated like a criminal.

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