Chicago Day Care Worker Released from Immigration Detention Following Strong Community Support

CHICAGO – In a development that has brought relief to many, Diana Santillana Galeano, an employee at a Chicago day care center, has been released following her unexpected detention by immigration authorities. The incident occurred during a busy morning at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, located on the north side of Chicago.

Santillana Galeano was taken into custody on November 5, as children were being dropped off at the center. A video of the arrest captured the chaotic scene, with officers struggling to escort her out of the building. Her legal representatives announced on Thursday that she was released from a detention facility in Indiana the previous night.

“We are thrilled that Ms. Santillana was released and has been able to return home to Chicago where she belongs,” stated her attorney, Charlie Wysong. “We will continue to advocate for her right to remain in the United States. We extend our gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support during this challenging time and kindly request that her privacy be respected as she recovers from this ordeal.”

This case highlights the escalating enforcement measures seen under the Trump administration. However, the nature of Santillana Galeano’s arrest was particularly unusual, even amidst the broader crackdown known as “Operation Midway Blitz.” Since early September, this operation has led to over 3,000 immigration arrests in the Chicago area, involving aggressive tactics such as helicopter raids, overwhelming police presence in public spaces, and the use of tear gas during protests.

Expressing her gratitude, Santillana Galeano said, “I am deeply thankful to everyone who has supported me and others like me who have faced similar traumas in recent months in the Chicago area. I cherish our community and the children I teach, and I am eager to return to them soon.”

The Department of Homeland Security said last week that the woman. who is from Colombia, entered the U.S. illegally in June 2023 but obtained authorization to work under the Biden administration. The department denied that the day care was targeted.