Dexter, Wyden, Merkley, and Bonamici Secure Release of Portland Mother After Months of Unlawful ICE Detention

"I can't wait to hug my babies. And then I will get to work for others like me," said Jackie Merlos

PORTLAND, OR- Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) announced that Jackie Merlos has been released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following her prolonged and illegal detention. Her release came hours after Dexter announced that a petition for a writ of habeas corpus was filed on behalf of Merlos-an action challenging the legality of her continued detention in federal court. 

"Jackie's freedom is proof that the power of the people is greater than the people in power," said Dexter. "Oregonians refused to be silent, and because of that, Jackie is free and will be home with her children. This is a moment for celebration, but it's also a painful reminder that justice was long delayed and actively undermined by the federal government. Jackie's faith, her community, and her resilience got her home-but thousands of others will never see equal justice. That is un-American. Our community cannot let up now; we must keep using our power to protect our neighbors and keep families together."

"I'm so grateful to have my freedom today. So many people have been by my side in this long journey. I'm so appreciative. I can't wait to hug my babies. And then I will get to work for others like me," said Jackie Merlos.

"Today is an important day. We picked up our dear friend after four months of cruelty and wrongful detention," said Mimi Lettunich and husband Kris Wigger, who cared for the Merlos children since July. "Tenacity, heart and justice prevailed over the Trump administration's egregious immigration policies. It took countless lawyers, members of Congress, national advocacy groups, friends and family from all political affiliations to make this possible. We look forward to celebrating Jackie's release and using this example as momentum to fight for others. We've only just begun."

"I'm glad our delegation's teamwork has succeeded in helping to free this Oregon mom and reunite her with her four U.S. citizen children," Wyden said. "Jackie Merlos should never have been cruelly separated from her kids and illegally imprisoned thanks to Donald Trump's scattershot immigration schemes. I'll never stop pushing back against this Trump madness so that due process and civil rights are upheld for everyone in America."

"If we allow families to be torn apart and our neighbors to be detained by their government indefinitely without due process, we surrender the values that define our great republic," said Merkley. "I joined my colleagues-Congresswoman Dexter, Senator Wyden, and Congresswoman Bonamici-to demand the release of Jackie Merlos, an innocent mother of four children who was held in ICE custody for over 100 days. Today, thanks to the voices of countless Oregonians and the tireless work of Jackie's legal team and local organizations, Jackie is going home, though her experience isn't an anomaly. Trump continues to shred our Constitution, allowing due process to be illegally denied and using ICE to stoke fear and uncertainty in our communities. We must keep ringing the alarm bells on his authoritarianism and fight for the rights of all our friends and neighbors."

"It is encouraging that Jackie Merlos will finally be reunited with her four young children, but ICE never should have separated this family," said Bonamici. "Many families, like Jackie's, are being ripped apart by an out-of-control federal agency using cruel, violent, and often illegal enforcement tactics. My heart goes out to the entire Merlos family and to all of the families who are continuing to fight to be with their loved ones again. Thank you to my colleague, Rep. Maxine Dexter, for leading on this case with heart and persistence."

Jackie Merlos is a Portland mother and small business owner who was disappeared and detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with her four U.S. citizen children after a visit to Peace Arch Park last summer. After learning of Jackie and her children's detention, Dexter personally drove to near the northern border in Washington State to demand their release. Dexter worked with Senators Wyden and Merkley to secure an emergency court order halting her deportation, allowing her children to be released and Jackie access to legal counsel.

Last month, Dexter spotlighted the Merlos family's story in a congressional shadow hearing titled  Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Assault Destroys U.S. Families and Communities.

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