CHICAGO (FlashPoint) — Diana Santillana Galeano, a dedicated employee at a Chicago day care center, was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Wednesday night, only days after her dramatic arrest in front of children being dropped off for care.
The incident occurred on November 5 at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, where video footage captured the tense moments as immigration officers escorted her out of the facility. Her attorney, Charlie Wysong, confirmed her release, stating that they would continue to pursue her immigration claims to ensure she remains in the United States.
Following her ordeal, Santillana expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community that rallied around her, stating, I am so grateful to everyone who has advocated on my behalf, and on behalf of countless others who have experienced similar trauma over recent months in the Chicago area. I love our community and the children I teach, and I can’t wait to see them again.
This event underscores the heightened tension surrounding immigration enforcement in Chicago, particularly reflecting the targets of the operation dubbed 'Operation Midway Blitz.' With over 3,000 arrests since September, the method of detaining a worker in a day care has drawn significant criticism, emphasizing the aggressive tactics employed during such operations.
While the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that Santillana entered the country illegally in June 2023, it also stated that she had been granted work authorization under the Biden administration. They further denied that the day care was specifically targeted in the operation.
