Honduran migrant held at Aurora ICE detention center granted asylum

Outside the detention facility in Aurora, a group of twenty-four people gathered to demand the release of Carla Medina, a mother of two from Honduras who has been held in custody for over six months after delivering a DoorDash order to Buckley Space Force Base. Despite winning her asylum case on Thursday, Medina remains in federal custody for the time being.

Nevertheless, both she and her supporters viewed the judge’s ruling as a triumph.

“I’m still in disbelief,” shared Medina with the crowd via video call from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. “I will soon be able to reunite with my family.”

The press conference coincided with her asylum hearing in immigration court. Medina’s attorney, Andrew Younkins, confirmed her victory, though the government retained the option to appeal on the basis of whether exceptional circumstances existed for the late filing of her asylum application.

The judge determined that such circumstances were present. However, this development means that Medina could remain detained for an additional thirty days or longer, depending on the government’s decision to appeal.

As of 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the court’s decision had not been updated on the Executive Office for Immigration Review website, according to publicly available case information.

Medina had previously disclosed to JS that she fled Honduras in 2023 due to domestic violence and threats from her ex-husband. Her family also sought refuge from gang violence, with her husband, Pablo Acosta, 29, escaping political persecution.

They entered the country using CBP One, a mobile app provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to schedule an asylum appointment at a port of entry.

At present, Medina remains detained at the ICE facility. She was initially apprehended by immigration officials on October 23 while delivering a DoorDash order to Buckley. According to her account, she was in the process of seeking asylum and possessed a valid work permit on the day of her arrest.

After being stopped by security officers at the base gate, ICE agents arrived, resulting in her detention. Despite being informed of a deportation order, Medina claims she has not been presented with any such documentation.