Sisters, 10 and 11, say they were alone for days after their mother was detained by ICE
Sisters, 10 and 11, say they were alone for days after their mother was detained by ICE
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Two sisters, ages 10 and 11, say they spent several days alone without knowing where their mother was after she was arrested in September. Now, with their mother in ICE detention, they are hoping to be reunited.
The League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, is [advocating for the family and seeking answers](https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/houston-activists-ice-operations/285-f34a1415-1497-4399-8f75-ee57cd94aced) about how an arrest at a bar led to their mother being held by immigration authorities.
For 10-year-old Alice, waking up without her mother is painful. She told KHOU 11 she cries almost every day.
Alice and her 11-year-old sister, Britany, said their mother, 38-year-old Julia Zelaya, worked two jobs — one at a factory and another at a bar — to support them.
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According to LULAC, an argument broke out at the bar Sept. 20, and everyone there was arrested, including Julia. She was taken to the Harris County Jail.
The girls said they did not hear from their mother and had no idea where she was. They said they remained alone for several days until she was able to make a phone call and their aunt came to get them.
Now, LULAC and the Greater Coalition of Justice are helping the family and questioning how ICE became involved after Julia was taken to jail.
Advocates want to determine which agency was involved in the events that led to her immigration detention.
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LULAC said it took the sisters to visit their mother over the weekend. The organization said the family does not have money for an attorney and hopes to help the girls get the support they need.
As their mother’s immigration case moves forward, the sisters are holding on to hope. They said they miss her dearly and want her released so they can be together again in the United States.