U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is moving to deport a Finnish national accused of throwing coffee on a baby, a mother, and their dog during a confrontation in Florida.

ICE announced that it has issued a detainer for Nina Jaaskelainen after her recent arrest in New Smyrna, Florida.

“For more than 20 years, Jaaskelainen has lived in the U.S. illegally, evading legal consequences,” stated Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The recent incident involving a baby, a mother, and a dog being assaulted is unacceptable,” she continued.

McLaughlin also mentioned that Jaaskelainen is now facing battery and domestic violence charges. “ICE has filed an arrest detainer to ensure she cannot harm another American family,” she added. “President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to preventing illegal aliens from causing harm to U.S. citizens.”

ICE’s actions follow Jaaskelainen’s arrest in Florida, as reported earlier this month. The case has drawn attention due to the severity of the allegations.

Jaaskelainen has pleaded not guilty in court after the alleged incident on Nov. 14, according to FOX35 Orlando. 

“According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a mother was walking with her infant son and dog when Jaaskelainen confronted the mother over the dog not being leashed,” DHS said. “During the confrontation, the illegal alien threw coffee on the baby, the mother and their dog. Jaaskelainen was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Jail where she was charged with battery and domestic violence.” 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a detainer against Nina Jaaskelainen earlier this month. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Homeland Security said Jaaskelainen first entered the U.S. on April 17, 1999, on a B2 tourist visa that required her to leave by July 16 of that year. 

“She chose to ignore our laws and remained in the U.S. illegally for the last 26 years,” DHS said.

Jaaskelainen told investigators that she threw the coffee on the dog because it was making her own dog upset and that she thought the mother, boy and dog were on her property, WKMG reported. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE agents walk down a street during a multi-agency targeted enforcement operation in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 26, 2025.  (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“Nina confirmed that she had thrown coffee on [the mother’s] dog and denied intentionally throwing coffee on [the mother] and her baby,” the station also quoted an affidavit as saying.