Austin, Texas, January 10, 2026

In a troubling incident in Austin, Texas, ICE agents apprehended a mother and her child after the local police department alerted federal authorities regarding an outstanding administrative warrant. While no ongoing disturbance was found, the arrest has raised concerns among family members and advocates about the child’s location and welfare. The community is calling for better communication from authorities to ensure the safety of the child amidst the ongoing immigration case.

Austin, Texas: ICE Detains Mother and Child Following Police Notification

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Early Monday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took a mother and her child into custody after the Austin Police Department (APD) notified federal authorities about an outstanding administrative warrant. The incident occurred around 4:35 a.m. in the 6100 block of Blue Stem Trail, where APD officers responded to a disturbance call. Upon arrival, they found no ongoing disturbance or injuries but identified an individual with an administrative warrant issued by ICE. Following APD’s notification, federal authorities arrived on the scene and took custody of the individual and her child. APD has confirmed that the mother and child are together with ICE.

Family and Advocates Seek Information on Child’s Whereabouts

Relatives and advocates have expressed concern over the child’s location and well-being. They have identified the child as Génesis Ester Gutiérrez Castellanos and are actively seeking information about her whereabouts. Despite repeated inquiries to local police, ICE, and Child Protective Services, the family has not received clear information regarding the child’s location or custody arrangements. Advocates are urging authorities to confirm the child’s location so that relatives can initiate formal custody proceedings while the mother remains in federal custody.

APD’s Policy on Immigration Detainers

APD’s General Order 318.3.4 outlines the department’s procedures when dealing with immigration detainers. Officers are required to notify a supervisor and ICE to determine the validity of the detainer. If confirmed, they must comply with the detainer request, inform the individual of their detainment, and transport them to the Central Booking Facility or another suitable detention facility. The order specifies that officers must comply with formal immigration detainer requests due to APD General Order 318.3.4.

Background on Administrative Warrants

An administrative warrant, issued by a federal agency, differs from a judicial warrant issued by a court. Administrative warrants allow designated federal agents to make arrests but do not authorize searches or entry into a building. The National Immigration Law Center notes that administrative warrants enable federal agents to arrest individuals but do not grant them the authority to search or enter premises.

Community Response and Concerns

The incident has raised concerns within the Austin community regarding the handling of situations involving immigrant families. Grassroots Leadership, a Texas nonprofit, has questioned APD’s handling of the situation, particularly the lack of communication with family members and the involvement of Child Protective Services. The organization emphasizes the importance of clear communication and proper procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of children involved in such cases.

Legal Rights of Parents Detained by ICE

Parents detained by ICE have specific rights concerning the care and custody of their children. According to the National Immigration Law Center, if a parent is arrested by ICE, the arresting officer should allow the parent to make arrangements for their child’s care. The parent can demand to call family or someone else they trust to come get the child and make plans for their care. ICE is supposed to wait until that person arrives and is not supposed to leave the child alone. If the parent cannot find someone to take care of the child or if the arresting officer thinks the child is being hurt or neglected, ICE policy says the officer must call child protective services. In that case, that agency will come to take custody of the child.

Next Steps for the Family

The family and advocates are seeking swift and concrete answers to safeguard the child’s welfare and to seek temporary guardianship while the immigration case moves forward. They are urging authorities to provide clear information regarding the child’s location and to involve appropriate child welfare agencies to ensure the child’s safety and well-being during this process.

Related Incidents and Community Concerns

This incident is part of a broader pattern of concerns regarding ICE operations and their impact on families. Similar cases have occurred in other parts of the country, raising questions about the procedures followed by ICE and local law enforcement agencies when detaining individuals with children. Community organizations continue to advocate for clearer protocols and better communication to protect the rights and safety of families affected by such actions.

Conclusion

The detention of a mother and her child in Austin has highlighted significant concerns regarding the coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, especially when children are involved. The community, along with family members and advocacy groups, is calling for transparency, clear communication, and adherence to established protocols to ensure the safety and rights of all individuals involved.

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